Signature No.	Petitioner	Locality	Opinions
832.	D.C	Wolverhampton
831.	E.O	Islington London	I feel there should more research into fibroid.
830.	C.C	Willingham	For far too long woman's health issues have fallen to the bottom of the heap. We urgently need more research to inform evidence-based practice in the area of fibroids especially early diaagnosis and alternative treatments to full hysterectomy or 'put up with it', our current most frequently offered options after years of pain and misdiagnosis.
829.	K.S	Gainsborough
828.	C	Staines
827.	K.B	Warrington
826.	L.M	Howden
825.	P.B	Manchester
824.	A	London	I was very anaemic/heave periods although going through menopause and my GP looked into this and I went for a scan and found fibroids. I am trying to find out more before seeing consultant. I am pleased for this site and agree more research, information, support and understanding needed.
823.	V.J	Addiscombe
822.	D	Inverness
821.	M	Kettering
820.	T....H	Dagenham, Essex	I will more attention and information from the clinicians regarding fibroid.
819.	V.P	Swindon
818.	C.T	Lutterworth	Women should be offered many options apart from hysterectomy for gynaecological problems, and these should be researched and perfected.
817.	G	Upton
816.	P	Richmond Upon Thames
815.	D.G	Earlsfield London	I'm also suffering from fibroid and am looking for the best option to remove it.
814.	I.O	Bellingham	I have had this problem for the past 5 years and words can not explain the pain and discomfort it has had no my life
813.	M	London	There needs to be a standard medical response when a woman first complains of troublesome fibroid-like symptoms or when a fibroid is diagnosed with a scan. An early diagnosis is vital so that a fibroid can be discovered when it’s small and more manageable. At the outset, a woman diagnosed with a troublesome fibroid should be fully informed of all possible treatments and scenarios – fibroids can stay the same size, they can naturally shrink back, or they can grow – and in some cases grow extremely large – so that an informed choice can be made as to the best course of treatment. In addition, once a troublesome fibroid is detected, a GP referral to a gynaecologist should be standard practice. The fibroid should also be regularly monitored and scanned to check for rapid growth. I had a small fibroid which ballooned in the space of 2 years and 8 months and is now the size of a melon. During this time, not once was I offered a scan in between to check for growth or a consultant referral. Between my first and second scan, my fibroid was allowed to grow and grow and now my treatment options are basically limited to a hysterectomy, or I can ride it out to my menopause which might be five or more years away, during which time my fibroid could continue to grow. The IUS which I had fitted has barely made a dent to my horrendous menstrual cycle. GPs should also be fully educated about all treatment options and scenarios. It is shocking to read comments from so many women who’ve signed this petition that the only treatment they’ve been offered was a hysterectomy when there are other options available, ranging from drug therapy to other surgical interventions. A hysterectomy is the most radical of all treatments – irreversible forever preventing pregnancy – and it should be only be offered as a treatment of the last resort. Although fibroids are non-malignant their impact on a woman’s health and quality of life is NOT benign – excessive menstrual bleeding which restricts a woman’s life, anaemia, weak bladder and pelvic pain and pressure are just a few of the symptoms. Fibroids affect one in five women in the UK and account for 20 per cent of Gynae consultations. It would cost the NHS far less if fibroids were detected early and managed and treated when they’re small. If only for this reason, fibroids (and their symptoms) should be taken more seriously and the medical response to this health condition should be systematic. Finally, and equally important, more money should be invested in research on the causes of fibroid growth so that therapies can be developed to treat them more effectively.