A MAJOR conference, focusing on the problem of uterine fibroids, will take place in Jamaica this weekend. This is a very welcomed event that I look forward to participating in.
WHAT ARE FIBROIDS?
Fibroid, uterine fibroid, tumour, fibroid tumour, growth, leiomyoma, fibroma, and fibromyoma: different names for a condition that may affect as many as 80 per cent of women. In Jamaica and most western countries the commonest surgery performed on women is the hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). In the United States 600,000 women lose their wombs each year to the gynaecologist's scalpel. As is the case in Jamaica, the commonest reason is uterine fibroids.
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours of the uterus that arise from the muscle cells that form the walls of the womb. They can be as small as a pea or as large as a watermelon.
Amazingly as it may sound, very little research is being done on the cause of fibroids. All the attention (and money) is directed at treating the condition and its symptoms after they develop. Here are some facts along with my own observations:
FIBROID FACTS
Although as many as 4 out of every 5 women have them, only about 25 per cent of women have fibroids that cause troublesome symptoms. Most fibroids remain small and cause no problems. If they are going to cause problems, they usually do so between ages 30 and 50. Sadly, however, younger and younger Jamaican women are now being afflicted.
Black women who adopt a western diet and lifestyle are twice as likely as Caucasian or Asian women to have fibroids
Each fibroid is derived from a single cell that begins to multiply abnormally. The cell begins behaving abnormally because of abnormalities developing in its chromosomes. Hor-mones influence the behaviour of chromosomes.
Changes in the woman's hormonal balance influence the development of fibroids. The balance between the hormones oestrogen and progesterone are mainly involved.
Fibroids grow rapidly during pregnancy when hormonal levels are high, and shrink after the menopause when hormone levels fall.
All the hormone sensitive organs in the body uterus, breast (and prostate in men) are now plagued by various fibroid growths.
Modern women (and men) are now being exposed to unnatural hormones (xenoestrogens) in unprecedented ways many animal foods are laced with hormones while many pesticides, industrial chemicals, drugs, dyes and even some personal hair and skin care items have hormonal activity.
A diet with a high consumption of commercial meats (non-organic) is associated with the presence of fibroids.
A plant-based diet, high in soy and organic green leafy and crustiferous vegetables is associated with a low incidence of fibroids. Food influences hormone balance.
Many other common female problems endometriosis, breast cysts and tumours, PMS, menstrual disorders, infertility are due to the same hormone imbalance as that which causes fibroids.
There is also a relationship between obesity and fibroids. The fatter a woman is, the more oestrogen her body produces, and oestrogen fuels the growth of fibroids. Of course, not all women who develop fibroids are obese. Ladies, can you see where these observations are leading? You are indeed what you eat. I see this truth exemplified in more and more diseases. Don't feed your fibroids! We are eating our way to illness and instead of addressing the underlying cause, we settle for modern medical interventions that only treat the symptoms. We fail to give our bodies the care and nourishment it needs and we suffer the consequences.
This weekend's conference on Uterine Fibroids is being held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in New Kingston. There I will share a natural approach to preventing and controlling uterine fibroids. Perhaps you can attend.
You may e mail Dr. Vendryes at info@drvendryes.com, visit our web site at www.drvendryes.com or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106 On Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
