African women in Oldham urged to get fibroids scan

Serial Oldham health campaigner Dr Anita Sharma is back on the familiar ground of raising awareness of a women’s blight that has been tragically trivialised by medics.

But this time the founder of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity is looking at alleviating the pain females feel from Fibroids. 

And with research suggesting that black women are likely to develop the womb growths three times faster than those of their white peers, she is aiming her “get smart about fibroids” message at Oldham’s African and Caribbean communities. 

 “Just as certain inherited markers mean that Asian people are more likely to suffer from diabetes, black women have a genetic propensity towards fibroids,” said Dr Sharma, at the launch of Fibroids Awareness Month,” added to that, hormone biology and lack of Vitamin D from sunshine, play a part.  

“But it is also poorer for services in poorer areas and ignorance around the condition rearing its ugly head that leads to women experiencing such discomfort.” 

Fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumours in women of reproductive age. Although many doctors point out that they are not a sign of cancer, Dr Sharma was at great pains to remind women that: 

 • Fibroids lead to heavy or painful periods, accompanied by bloating 
• They can result in stomach and lower back pain 
• They sometimes cause incontinence 
• Pain and discomfort during sex occurs and, 
• Fibroids can even prevent women getting pregnant 
A staggering 80 per cent of black women of childbearing age develop them. 
 

“There is a reluctance and even fear amongst the black community about attending scans,” continued Dr. Sharma. 

She added: “That means by the time they are diagnosed the fibroids have become bigger and bleeding and pelvic pain is more severe.” 

The African population of Oldham is estimated at around 9,000. As with the more established Afro-Caribbean community, services have sprung up to serve them offering advice on housing, jobs and settling into society.  

Dr Sharma has worked recently with Girls with Pride and Dignity, founded by Kana Josee Biziman, who assisted her in delivering period products to women in need. 

“Sickle Cell anaemia is perhaps the best-known condition that people know affects the black population more than any other,” concluded Dr Sharma, “but all the research shows that chronic conditions such as stroke, prostate cancer, and mental health disorders are more prevalent, too.  

“We need to study the reasons why and address them. Black Health matters – as much as that of everyone else.” 

Read more about Fibroid Awareness Month by visiting http://www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/ 
Visit  https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com  to discover more and support Dr Sharma’s charity Endometriosis Awareness North.