[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF FIBROID RESEARCH RESOLUTION

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2015

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, during National Women's Health Week, I rise 
as the original cosponsor of a resolution recognizing the need for 
greater uterine fibroid research and the minority disparity rates of 
African-American and Hispanic uterine fibroid patients. I thank 
Congressman Scott for joining me to introduce this important 
resolution.
  Uterine fibroids are the most prevalent medical condition affecting 
women, with an estimated 80 percent of women developing an uterine 
fibroid by age 50. Actual incidence of fibroid tumors is estimated to 
be 3 times higher in African-American women and 2 times higher in 
Hispanic women compared to Caucasian women.
  Further, uterine fibroids are estimated to cost the United States up 
to $34.4 billion annually, with an estimated annual lost work cost of 
up to $17.2 billion through absenteeism and short term disability in 
women age 25 to 54.
  Those numbers are why I urge my colleagues to join Congressman Scott 
and me in seeking more research funding for the millions of women 
affected by fibroids.

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