Florida Senate - 2015 (NP) SR 1624 By Senator Thompson 12-02729-15 20151624__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing July 2015 as “Fibroid 3 Awareness Month” in the State of Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, uterine fibroids, clinically known as uterine 6 leiomyoma, are the most common benign tumors in the uterus and 7 the single most common indication for hysterectomy, and 8 WHEREAS, consequently, uterine fibroids are the leading 9 cause of loss of reproductive potential, and nearly one-half of 10 all hysterectomies are performed to address uterine fibroids, 11 and 12 WHEREAS, the incidence of uterine fibroids in African 13 American women is the greatest of any ethnic group, estimated to 14 be three to four times greater when compared to Caucasian women 15 and three to five times greater than the general population, and 16 WHEREAS, as many as three out of four women will have 17 uterine fibroids during their lives, and up to 80 percent of 18 women by age 50 will be affected by uterine fibroids, and 19 WHEREAS, fibroids may cause significant morbidity through 20 their presence in the uterus and pelvic cavity, and benign 21 tumors are a significant cause of pelvic pain, abnormal uterine 22 bleeding, and reproductive dysfunction, and 23 WHEREAS, the costs to the United States related to uterine 24 fibroids include costs related to obstetric outcomes attributed 25 to fibroid tumors, hysterectomy procedures, and lost work due to 26 absenteeism and short-term disability in women aged 25 to 54, 27 and 28 WHEREAS, public awareness would empower and inform 29 residents of this state about uterine fibroids and would 30 encourage earlier diagnosis, more research, better treatment 31 options, and eventually a cure for uterine fibroids, NOW, 32 THEREFORE, 33 34 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 35 36 That July 2015 is recognized as “Fibroid Awareness Month” 37 in the State of Florida.