Women of childbearing age have been advised to engage in regular exercise, consume diets rich in vitamin D, cut down on oral contraceptives, reduce consumption of red meat and stay off alcohol if they must reduce their risk of uterine fibroid.
Speaking weekend in Lagos at a free quarterly seminar organised by the Support Association for Fibroids Awareness, SAFA, Dr Tope Olowogbayi, a medical expert, asserted that although the cause of fibroid remains unknown, every woman can cut down her risk by becoming knowledgeable about both non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors.
"Non-modifiable risk factors include family history, being of black race, and reproductive age, while modifiable risk factors include body size, use of oral contraceptives and vitamin D deficiency," Dr Olowogbayi explained.
He estimated that by age 50, about 70 to 80 percent of women would have had it since women in their 30s and 40s are most at risk.
Speaking on the rationale behind the quarterly awareness seminar, Wemimo Adewuni, Manager, SAFA, lamented the prevalence of uterine fibroid in Nigeria.
"Amid a high prevalence, in Nigeria, there is a severe lack of awareness about uterine fibroid as well as available treatment options.
"According to a 2023 study, the prevalence of fibroid was 51.9 per cent for women between the ages of 26-35 years and 44.6 per cent for those between 36-45 years," Adewuni said at the event supported by the Fibroid Care Center.
A non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about uterine fibroids and providing support for those affected in Nigeria and across Africa, SAFA aims to empower individuals with knowledge about the management and treatment of uterine fibroids, including the use of HIFU.
