inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!
home / 2022年世界杯名单猜测 / reproductive health

group campaigns for national endometriosis strategy

advocates say it's time for canada to introduce a patient-centred policy on endometriosis, something which other western nations have already committed to.

by emma jones
published feb 15, 2022
last updated feb 17, 2023
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
group campaigns for national endometriosis strategy
endoact canada, launched towards the end of january, is advocating for a canadian national action plan for endometriosis. getty
a new campaign is pushing for comprehensive policy action in canada regarding endometriosis, something that other western nations have either begun or have already implemented. endometriosis, a disease that causes the tissue that normally lines the uterus to grow outside of the uterus, affects approximately one million canadians and can result in inflammation, scarring and debilitating pain. research indicates that school-aged children with the condition are more likely to miss school each month than those without the condition. adults may lose out on approximately 10 hours of work productivity, which translates into an estimated $1.8 billion loss to the canadian economy per year.
in 2021, the ontario government passed bill 273, designating march as endometriosis awareness month, with the goal of educating “the public about this common yet misunderstood disease, and to encourage conversations and education around what is a “normal” period.”
endoact canada, launched towards the end of january, is advocating for a canadian national action plan for endometriosis. the plan, the group says, should be based on consultation with patients who have been diagnosed with endometriosis and aim to advance “evidence-based solutions.”

related stories

amy schumer has uterus and appendix removed
the actor and comedian revealed her decision to have surgery to relieve painful symptoms of endometriosis.
amy schumer where: los angeles, california, united states when: 18 apr 2018 credit: brian to/wenn.com org xmit: wenn34073029

endometriosis: 'when you’re around people who understand what you’re dealing with day to day, it can save your life'
denise campbell was just 14 when she began experiencing headaches, bloating, fatigue and gas — symptoms that took years to diagnose.
raising awareness about endometriosis is essential to providing help to others. getty
story continues below
“as a public health and social justice issue, endometriosis has been ignored for too long,” philippa bridge-cook, phd, a molecular biologist and chair of the endometriosis network canada ’s (enc) board of directors, said in a news release. “people with endometriosis in canada need patient-centred policy that is informed by evidence, which requires collaboration combining the expertise of patients with that of clinicians, researchers, and government stakeholders.”
other countries are already committing at a national level to raise awareness of endometriosis and improve care.
in january, french president emmanuel macron tweeted that his government would launch a national strategy for endometriosis and earmark funding for research and treatment. meanwhile, the australian national action plan for endometriosis — released in july 2018 and updated in august 2021— contains overarching goals related to improving general awareness and education on endometriosis as well as improving diagnosis and treatment for patients. shortly after the action plan was announced, the government announced 2.5 million aud for research initiatives and one million for endometriosis education for health-care professionals.
story continues below

‘i must be weak’

for samantha lyster, a endometriosis patient who had previously been told there was nothing wrong when she complained of abdominal pain, finding a doctor who recognized her condition was life-changing.
“being in his care changed the course of how i felt even about myself. there’s that stigma and that shame: i’m being dramatic. this pain isn’t real. no, they can’t find anything. there’s nothing on these tests. no one understands. i must be weak. i must not be able to handle this properly,” lyster told healthing. “it’s one of those things that just kind of gets to you and wears on you…you just kind of feel the that you’re being a burden.”
lyster’s experience is not uncommon.
“there are a lot of people struggling,” bridge-cook, phd, told healthing. “they haven’t found the right doctor or their pain is still being dismissed by their doctor, they can’t access the treatment, or get a diagnosis, and even if they do get a diagnosis, they can’t get the treatment they need afterwards — either because they can’t afford it or it isn’t available.”
emma jones is a multimedia editor with healthing. you can reach her at emjones@postmedia.com or on twitter @jonesyjourn
don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter
story continues below
thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
happy african american man and his family preparing salad in the kitchen.
study says fathers-to-be should watch what they eat
black pregnant woman holding bowl with fresh vegetable salad, enjoying healthy nutrition
new study shows gestational diabetes may be managed through nutrition therapy
tired concerned mother rocking sleeping baby.
postpartum depression ‘must be a public health priority’ in wake of pandemic
cranberries in a bowl and cranberry juice
utis really can be prevented with cranberry juice: research
woman hiding under pillow
vaginismus might not get the same attention as erectile dysfunction, but it should
you may also like
happy african american man and his family preparing salad in the kitchen.
study says fathers-to-be should watch what they eat
black pregnant woman holding bowl with fresh vegetable salad, enjoying healthy nutrition
new study shows gestational diabetes may be managed through nutrition therapy
tired concerned mother rocking sleeping baby.
postpartum depression ‘must be a public health priority’ in wake of pandemic
cranberries in a bowl and cranberry juice
utis really can be prevented with cranberry juice: research
you may also like
happy african american man and his family preparing salad in the kitchen.
study says fathers-to-be should watch what they eat
black pregnant woman holding bowl with fresh vegetable salad, enjoying healthy nutrition
new study shows gestational diabetes may be managed through nutrition therapy