World
Endometriosis Research Foundation launches at ASRM opening
ceremony in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, 22 OCTOBER 2006: The American
Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European
Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
and the World Endometriosis Society (WES) are proud
to announce the first global endometriosis project initiated
jointly by these three professional organisations: the
establishment of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation.
The
World Endometriosis Research Foundation is the first
global charitable organisation with an aim to foster
research into endometriosis to improve knowledge and
treatment(s) of this enigmatic disease.
Endometriosis affects
tens of millions of women around the world, yet its
origin is poorly understood, most treatments have side
effects, and there is no cure. Endometriosis is commonly
associated with infertility and pain in women. The symptoms
can leave a woman unable to finish an education or maintain
a career and have a significant effect on her quality
of life as well as a substantial socio-economic impact.
The Foundation will achieve
its aim of fostering research by providing a platform
to attract sufficient funding from a variety of sources
to:
- Facilitate and carry out large
scale international multi-centre trials involving
sufficient patient numbers to provide results of
statistical significance;
- Support specific research projects
investigating disease mechanisms.
An early deliverable
will be the establishment of a global research/epidemiology
registry.
Says founding trustee
Professor Robert Schenken: “The ASRM,
ESHRE and WES have recognised the lack of large scale
international clinical trials in endometriosis, the
lack of overall funding for research into the disease
and, not least, the potential overlap of effort from
country to country when centres work in isolation and
can’t share data.
This collaboration will allow us to share vital resources
within the endometriosis community and work towards
improving our knowledge about prevention, early diagnosis
and treatment”.
The Foundation is
a registered charity in the United Kingdom, but will
operate globally. Its board has representatives from
all three founding organisations, with the first board
comprising:
Professor Robert Shaw (United
Kingdom) – president
Professor Linda Giudice
(USA) - vice-president
Professor G David Adamson
(USA)
Professor Thomas D’Hooghe
(Belgium)
Dr Stephen Kennedy (United
Kingdom)
Professor Robert Schenken
(USA)
Dr Martyn Stafford-Bell
(Australia)
Professor Carlos Sueldo
(Argentina)
The board has appointed
Lone Hummelshoj as
Chief Executive.
It is possible to make donations to
endometriosis research via the Foundation’s website:
www.endometriosisfoundation.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue,
similar to the lining of the uterus, is found in other
areas of the body (mainly in the abdominal cavity).
This tissue responds to a woman’s hormonal cycle.
However, unlike blood in connection with the period,
it remains within the body, where it bleeds and forms
lesions, blood-filled cysts, and adhesions, resulting
in inflammation, pain, infertility, and potentially
other medical problems. Symptoms include: Painful menstruation,
ovulation, intercourse, bowel movements, urination;
fatigue; bloating, nausea, heavy bleeding; sub-fertility;
and possibly a susceptibility to develop other diseases,
including certain cancers. Treatments include: painkillers,
birth control pills, hormones, surgical removal and,
for some, hysterectomy. For most women, side effects
are associated with all of these treatments, and none
of them cure the disease. See also: www.endometriosis.org/endometriosis.html
2.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
(ASRM) was founded in 1944 as a multi-disciplinary
society to help form key legislation and fight for reproductive
rights when public policy in reproductive matters did
not exist. Since 1950 it has published Fertility and
Sterility, and it also produces guidelines, minimum
standards, committee opinions, and technical and educational
bulletins. See also: www.asrm.org
3.
The European Society for Human Reproduction
and Embryology (ESHRE) was founded in 1985
to promote the study and treatment of reproductive biology
and medicine. It promotes research, organises education
and advanced medical training activities, and publishes
Human Reproduction. See also: www.eshre.com
4.
The World Endometriosis Society (WES)
was founded in 1998 to foster research and promote the
exchange of clinical experience, scientific thought
and investigation among gynaecologists, endocrinologists,
scientists, biologists and other qualified individuals
interested in advancing the field of endometriosis.
See also: www.endometriosis.ca
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