Worldwide EndoMarch: Women in London Join Women from around the World to raise awareness of endometriosis.
For the second year running supporters of Endometriosis UK will be taking part in a peaceful march on Saturday 28th March 2015 between 12noon and 3pm (GMT) in Central London. The march will start from Embankment Gardens and will include Victoria Embankment, Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square. This event is part of a number of international marches for endometriosis in dozens of capital cities including Amsterdam, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Rome and Washington DC.
The event will bring women and their supporters together to raise awareness about endometriosis. Endometriosis affects an estimated 1.5 million women across the UK and 176 million women worldwide. A UK survey of women with endometriosis shows it takes an average of 7.5 years to be diagnosed with the condition leaving millions of women in agony and distress for far too long. The time from first symptoms to diagnosis has come down since 2005, when the average was 11 years, but it is still far outside acceptable limits.
“Raising awareness about endometriosis, and breaking the taboos that surround it, is a vital part of speeding up diagnosis and improving treatment and quality of life for women with endometriosis. That’s why the Worldwide EndoMarch is such an important event for women in the UK and across the globe.
Endometriosis UK is committed to raising awareness about the condition as well as providing support, information and a community for women with endometriosis.” said Angela Style, Chair of the Trustees, for Endometriosis UK.
“1 in 10 women in the UK suffer with endometriosis. This is a significant number and yet it still takes an average of 7.5 years to get a diagnosis. During this delay, many women with endometriosis live with increasing and debilitating pain and spread of the disease; some even lose their relationships and livelihoods as a result: a devastation of their quality of life.
7.5 years is far too long for any woman to suffer and we aim to change that by campaigning at events like the Worldwide Endo March, joining with others across the globe to raise awareness of this life changing disease.”, said Jane Hudson Jones, CEO of Endometriosis UK.
We will march together on Saturday 28th 2015 to show our commitment to furthering the empowerment of women and girls with endometriosis, to promote the further education of the general public, MP’s and healthcare professionals, and ultimately to promote the need for a cure to be found for this debilitating disease.
To register to participate follow this link: www.endometriosis-uk.org/events
For full information on all the activities and more about Endometriosis, visit www.endometriosis-uk.org
The Endometriosis UK Helpline is 0808 808 2227.
Notes to Editors:
- Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, most commonly in the pelvic region. This tissue responds to hormones in the same way as the lining of the womb but, with no outlet, it can cause inflammation, scarring and adhesions, leading to severe pain and many other symptoms.
- Over 1.5 million women in the UK of childbearing age have this condition. It can affect all women and girls of a childbearing age, regardless of race or ethnicity. Approximately 176 million women and girls suffer from endometriosis worldwide.
- Individual women can suffer a range of symptoms including severe and chronic period pain, heavy or irregular periods, fatigue and lack of energy, depression and feelings of isolation, pain on sexual intercourse and fertility problems.
- There is no definitive cause for endometriosis and the only conclusive way to determine if a woman has endometriosis is through a laparoscopy, usually done under general anaesthetic.
- Research by Endometriosis UK (Diagnosis Survey, 2011) shows that it typically takes over seven years for a correct diagnosis to be made: two years before a woman initially goes to her GP and a four year delay going to and from the GP before further referral to have a laparoscopy. During this time women may suffer agonising pain each month which impacts on their lives, relationships and ability to work.
- There is currently no cure. Treatments including drugs, surgery and complementary therapies can be used to help manage the pain, reduce the severity of symptoms and improve the quality of life for a woman living with the condition.
- Endometriosis costs the UK approximately £8.2bn per annum in lost working time and healthcare costs. Source: ‘The burden of endometriosis: costs and quality of life of women with endometriosis and treated in referral centres’, Simoens et al, 2012
- Endometriosis UK is the leading national charity dedicated to providing support and information for women who have this condition.
- Endometriosis sufferers are one of the most active communities on Health Unlocked, the social network for sharing health stories, asking questions and receiving support and advice.
Endometriosis UK is affiliated to the European Endometriosis Alliance. It works to increase understanding of endometriosis through campaigning, awareness-raising initiatives and research. We offer a wide range of advice and support, including a helpline, information leaflets and local support groups. These services are run by volunteers, all of whom have been affected by the condition.
For press enquiries please contact Jane Hudson Jones, CEO on 0207 222 2781.
For more details please contact mwm@endometriosis-uk.org
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