Dr Winston 'Freddie' Clarke - Contributed

Fibroids tumours is a condition affecting seven out of every 10 Jamaican women, according to a recent release by the Health and Communications Project.

But a recent announcement declared that there is a new fibroid treatment now being offered locally. Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) has been available in many First-World countries for over 30 years but just months ago, the UFE made its way to the local market giving women more treatment options for uterine fibroids. Unlike other surgical treatments available, this is a radiology procedure, which is non-surgical.

According to Dr Winston 'Freddie' Clarke, consultant radiologist at X-Ray and Diagnostic Ultrasound Consultants Limited, the UFE treatment works in the form of starving the fibroids by cutting off their blood flow.

"We pass a tube into the blood vessels using the groin as an access point. The blood vessels are what supply the fibroids with blood and when this is blocked, the fibroid's growth will be affected. This will result in it becoming gradually smaller."

Recurrence of fibroids after the treatment is very rare and a one-time procedure should suffice, explains Clarke. The new treatment is available for women who suffer from fibroids, heavy bleeding and pain among other symptoms that are associated with the condition. And while it is not a solution or guarantee, Clarke says the UFE treatment can help some women to become pregnant.

Non-surgical option

While there are other surgical treatment options for fibroids, the UFE has its advantages as a non-surgical option. "Imagine, there is no big cut, within days patients can resume their normal lives, there are no risks which are associated with surgeries, no excessive bleeding or infections, etc," notes the radiologist.

The uterine fibroid embolisation costs approximately $200,000. However, preparations should be made to finance other tests leading up to the procedure.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com