Endometriosis is a painful and often debilitating disease that affects an estimated 6.5 million women in the U.S. Now, one researcher is using her own struggle to bring hope to millions by developing an at-home test for the disease.
Ivanhoe Newswire Endometriosis is a painful and often debilitating disease that affects an estimated 6.5 million women in the U.S. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes infertility.
Despite the staggering numbers, doctors and patients say research has been chronically underfunded. NIH has spent less than one-tenth of 1% of its budget over the past decade to study the disease.Professor Katie Burns, toxicologist and reproductive biologist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, was just 10 when her life took a sudden turn. “I felt like someone was taking a washcloth and ringing it and pulling it to get out the absolute last ounce of water possible and then stabbing me,” she recalled.“I felt so alone, felt so unknown,” Burns told Ivanhoe.“I went and I had five different surgeries for endometriosis. I’ve done chemical menopause, I’ve done hypnosis, I’ve done acupuncture, I’ve done all kinds of diet changes,” Burns explained. When more surgery became too dangerous, doctors prescribed a progestin IUD and extensive pelvic physical therapy. But Burns didn’t stop there — she turned her struggle into science.At the University of Cincinnati, Burns studies how the immune system and environmental chemicals contribute to endometriosis. Until now, surgery has been the only way to confirm the disease. But her lab is developing what they believe will be the first at-home diagnostic test. “What we wanna do is set and develop a kit where we’re able to send the menstrual fluid back to a lab from the patient and be analyzed in the laboratory,” Burns explained.“Finally, let’s make some changes. Let’s do something,” Burns said. Currently, it takes on average seven years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis. This at-home diagnostic kit could cut that to months. The test is now in the patenting stage and could be prescribed by doctors within a few years, offering a long-overdue breakthrough for millions of women worldwide.Mother of 18-year-old killed at Westside Burger King serves customers, pays for meals in son’s honorMother of 18-year-old killed at Westside Burger King serves customers, pays for meals in son’s honorGator boys headed to Tampa to begin journey for back-to-back national titlesJacksonville approves next step in bringing UF campus to cityPrivate lender says she lost nearly $70K after working with BG Ventures Investment Real EstatePulse nightclub demolished as Orlando moves toward permanent memorial for 49 victims of massacreGoFundMe launched after car crash sends Jacksonville family of 4 to multiple hospitalsBehind-the-scenes look at bomb squad training at Camp BlandingJacksonville NAACP urges delay in JEA appointment amid investigationsCity Council holds first JEA Special Committee meeting over potential unpaid capacity feesAfter three years, still no arrests made in Jacksonville Beach St. Patrick’s Day shootingsSenate Housing Bill could boost Jacksonville’s fight against affordability crisisDonate, Declutter and Win During Goodwill’s ‘Clean Out Your Closet Week’Time to get some green in my garden. Expert advice from Five PointsCrashes increase on St. Patrick's Day so have a plan & stay alert1:38Northwesterly winds bring unseasonable cold to our areaJacksonville TikTok influencer advocates for expansion of trade programs in Duval CountyAtlantic Beach urges riders to follow e-bike rules amid spring breakGas station awning toppled during thunderstorms in Nassau CountyWeather Authority Alert Day: Front brings risk of severe storms, gusty winds, tornadoes and hailPonte Vedra double murder happened very close to another high profile crime sceneTSA staffing shortages, sprawling line of thunderstorms affecting Spring Break flightsLights Out: Residents, businesses asked to turn off non-essential lights for bird migrationJU women's basketball team will face LSU on Friday in NCAA tourney openerLudvig Åberg talks about entering the final round of The Players Championship with a 3-shot leadLudvig Åberg talks about entering the final round of The Players Championship with a 3-shot lead
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