At Fibroid Relief we have been promoting awareness of and access to the full range of treatment options, which has come from our own awareness that women are not given adequate and thorough information to make a decision about their care. In addition – and most closely connected to our mission – is the lack of information about and access to minimally invasive treatment options.
It has been said – quite possibly to you as a patient – that not enough is known about these less invasive treatment options to assure safety and efficacy, especially in the case of Focused Ultrasound. I would argue strongly against this based on the anecdotal evidence that exists with over 6,000 patients treated worldwide, but anecdotal evidence is insufficient and that’s why clinical trials exist. These trials need patients to participate, so now my request to you is to get involved in changing the paradigm by participating in a Clinical Trial.
If one particular trial isn’t right for you, maybe a friend can benefit from the cost of their procedure being covered, maybe someone you didn’t even know was struggling with this decision, but learns of this from you and your message changes their course – so if you cannot participate, spread the word.
Here’s a Clinical Trial that resonates with Fibroid Relief on many levels – The FIRSTT research study: Fibroid Interventions: Reducing Symptoms Today and Tomorrow
Trial Eligibility:
You may be eligible to join this study if:
- You are at least 30 years old
- You are not actively trying to get pregnant
- You have not had major surgery to treat your uterine fibroids
Other Important Details:
- Everyone in this study will receive one of the minimally invasive treatment options.
- You will have an equal chance of having either procedure.
- They will follow you for at least 6 months after the procedure.
- You will be compensated for your time.
That is very encouraging, however, why aren’t they doing the study for long term results?!!! Insurance companies are still not going to cover MRG FUS if only six month studies are available!
i have a friend who is 45 years old and is suffering with uterine fibroids, and has no medical insurance to cover the cost of surgery. her name is dee johnson and she lives in houston, tx. if you could please give me any info on clinical trials in houston or surrounding areas i will apprecitate it. thanks
Tangie, I am sorry to hear about what your friend is experiencing. We do have information on a clinical trial that is currently recruiting free of charge. There is a recruiting site in Arizona, which may be worth the trip. Please see this link for more information:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00874029?term=halt+medical&rank=1
Also, you might share this chart with her to give her an overview of the variety of treatment options available:
http://fibroidrelief.org/fibroids/what-are-my-treatment-options/
I hope this is helpful to her. Tracey, Fibroid Relief
I am from india the above posts are right women are not informed about the choices that they have specially the non invasive options, to care of themselves. I am 45 yrs and for the past 5 years as my fibroids grow in size and in number I am looking for alternate ways to treat them, now I am desperate. I would love to volunteer for the trials, if any in India , New Delhi. I do not have any insurance at the moment. Please inform if any clinical trias are underway in India and help me and many like me in my country. By the time we haer about it or this MRgFUS becoms mainstream it will be too late for some of us.. help
Seema,
Please use this link to see the contact information for the treatment center in Mumbai. It would be worth contacting them to see if they could help you. We do not know of any clinical trials. We wish you the best. –Tracey
http://fibroidrelief.org/resources/find-a-treatment-center/