Florida Senate - 2016 (NP) SR 1574 By Senator Thompson 12-01938-16 20161574__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing July 2016 as “Fibroid 3 Awareness Month” in Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, uterine fibroids, clinically known as uterine 6 leiomyoma, are the most common benign tumors in the uterus and 7 the 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 among African 13 American women is the greatest of any race, estimated to be 14 three to four times greater when compared to Caucasian women and 15 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, uterine fibroids may cause significant morbidity 20 through their presence in the uterus and pelvic cavity, and 21 benign tumors are a significant cause of pelvic pain, abnormal 22 uterine 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 25 to 54 years of 27 age, and 28 WHEREAS, public awareness would empower residents of this 29 state and encourage them to seek earlier diagnosis and to 30 support more research, better treatment options, and, 31 eventually, a cure for uterine fibroids, NOW, THEREFORE, 32 33 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 34 35 That July 2016 is recognized as “Fibroid Awareness Month” in 36 Florida.