NORTH CHICAGO, Ill.,
March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that
actress, dancer and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Julianne Hough is helping to raise awareness
about endometriosis through a campaign called "Get in the Know
about ME in EndoMEtriosis." The campaign,
sponsored by AbbVie, is dedicated to inspiring women to learn about
and understand endometriosis, a disease affecting an estimated one
in 10 women,1 and to address their symptoms with a
healthcare professional. Despite being one of the most common
gynecologic disorders in America, there is a lack of awareness and
prioritization of endometriosis as an important women's health
issue.
"After I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2008, I talked
about my symptoms with family and close friends and it led some of
them to talk to a doctor about their own symptoms," said Hough, who
is best known as a two-time professional champion and judge on
Dancing with the Stars. "I am the ME in EndoMEtriosis
and I'm here to show women what the face of this chronic and
painful disease looks like. Endometriosis is a part of me, and it
could be affecting you and many other women in your life."
Endometriosis is associated with pain symptoms which can be
debilitating and may interfere with day-to-day activities. Without
proper communication about endometriosis, it may take longer for
women to receive a diagnosis. The "Get in the Know" website aims to
increase awareness about endometriosis, elevate understanding and
facilitate conversations between women and healthcare
professionals. Women with endometriosis can suffer for up to six to
10 years before diagnosis2,3. The website features a
wide range of information and tools such as an endometriosis
checklist, which provides a simple overview of symptoms so
women can identify those that apply to them, and a symptoms
tracker, meant to help women understand the impact
endometriosis symptoms have on their daily lives.
"AbbVie is proud to work with Julianne
Hough and to make this education campaign possible," said
Michael Norton, vice president, head
of U.S. medical affairs at AbbVie. "Although endometriosis cannot
be cured, the pain associated with endometriosis can be managed
upon proper diagnosis. With the 'Get in the Know about ME in
EndoMEtriosis' campaign, our hope is to educate about endometriosis
and empower women to engage in dialogue with physicians, family and
friends to help bring awareness to symptoms and change the way the
disease is understood."
For more information, visit MEinEndo.com and join the
conversation online by sharing #MEinEndo.
About Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue
similar to that normally found in the uterus begins to grow outside
of the uterus, leading to long-term pelvic pain (during or between
periods), pain with intercourse and other painful
symptoms4. These growths are called lesions and
can occur on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, or other areas near
the uterus, such as the bowel or bladder5,6. There is no
cure for endometriosis, and the associated pain is currently
managed with oral contraceptives, progestins, danazol, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and GnRH agonists, many
of which are not specifically indicated for the treatment of
endometriosis. In more extensive cases, surgical interventions
(e.g., laparotomy or laparoscopy) are often pursued, and may not be
curative for all individuals7.
About Get in the Know about ME in EndoMEtriosis
Get in the Know about ME in EndoMEtriosis is a women's
health campaign dedicated to inspire women to learn about and
understand endometriosis. The campaign seeks to educate and empower
women to evaluate whether they are the "ME in endoMEtriosis" by
finding out how to identify and address symptoms of endometriosis
with their healthcare professional. Endometriosis affects an
estimated one in 10 women8, but despite being one of the
most common gynecologic disorders in America7, there is
a lack of awareness and prioritization of endometriosis as an
important women's health issue8. Learn more at
MEinEndo.com and join the conversation online by sharing
#MEinEndo.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed
in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The
company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and
unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced
therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious
diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics,
AbbVie employs approximately 29,000 people worldwide and markets
medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on
the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please
visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or
view careers on
our Facebook or LinkedIn page.
1American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
FAQ Endometriosis.
http://www.acog.org/-/media/For-Patients/faq013.pdf. Accessed
December 19, 2016.
2Nnoham, K, Hummelshoj, L, Webster, P, d'Hooghe, T, de
Cicco Nardone, F, de Cicco Nardone, C, Jenkinson, C, Kennedy, S,
Zondervan, K. Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work
productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries. Fertility
and Sterility. 2011: 96:366-373.
3Giudice LC. Clinical practice: Endometriosis. New
England Journal of Medicine. 2010;362:2389–2398.
4Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Symptoms: Endometriosis Fact
Sheet.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/basics/symptoms/con-20013968.
Accessed February 1,
2016.
5The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. ACOG Education Pamphlet AP013: Endometriosis.
Washington, DC: September 2008. ISSN 1074-8601.
6MM, Silverberg K, Olive DL. Endometriosis and
Adenomyosis. IN: Copeland LJ, Jarrell JF, eds. Textbook of
Gynecology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia,
PA: WB Saunders; 2000:687-722.
7Mayo Clinic. Diseases & Conditions: Endometriosis
Fact Sheet.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20236449.
Accessed February 1, 2016.
8Shah DK, Moravek MB, Vahratian A, Dalton VK, Levovic
DI. Public perceptions of endometriosis: perspectives from
both genders. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
2010;89(5):646-650.
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SOURCE AbbVie