Endometriosis "acts almost like a cancer"

Imagine waiting for years, sometimes decades, to receive a diagnosis for an illness that's made you change every aspect of your life. If you're living with endometriosis, you probably understand this better than most. To learn more about this life-changing condition, Nam Kiwanuka speaks with gynaecological surgeon and sonologist Dr. Mathew Leonardi and researcher Shay Freger from McMaster University. They say the state of endo research has never been stronger, but that there's still a lot to be done to understand the scope of the condition's effect on women. Got a question or comment? Email us at: [email protected] The Endometriosis Network Canada: https://endometriosisnetwork.com If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.   The Government of Ontario’s Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org Attractiveness of women with rectovaginal endometriosis: a case-control study: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22985951 Closing the women's health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies The phenotypic and genetic association between endometriosis and immunological diseases: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40262193 Women with endometriosis say they are enduring extreme pain due to pandemic surgery delays, lack of expertise: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-endure-endometriosis-pain-during-pandemic-1.6377249 Hysterectomy is more common, and occurs at younger ages, for women with less education:  https://theconversation.com/hysterectomy-is-more-common-and-occurs-at-younger-ages-for-women-with-less-education-237937 Meet Shay Freger: endometriosis researcher and greenhouse volunteer: https://news.mcmaster.ca/meet-shay-freger-endometriosis-researcher-and-greenhouse-volunteerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.