Recently, I was contacted by Judy Cohen, Outreach Coordinator at the American Recall Center.  Judy asked if I would help to raise awareness about some new and possibly dangerous developments within the women’s health community.   I was more than happy to do so considering that the majority of our readers are women, and we have several women writers on our team here at Light Love Hope.  In addition, we have a professional that works in the medical field who is a writer here at Light Love Hope, and we felt compelled to share this information.

Just about everyone knows someone that has had a hysterectomy.  Maybe that is you sitting here reading this article.  Or, maybe it’s your sister, mother, daughter, or friend.  If anyone you know has had a hysterectomy, please read on for more information and be sure to discuss the findings with your doctor, or at least inquire with your doctor as to which device was used during your surgery.

Judy enlightened me regarding a device that is commonly used in hysterectomies, and she has provided information below:

Power Morcellators, a device commonly used in hysterectomies (the 2nd most common procedure for women in the US), have recently come under scrutiny from the FDA. Power Morcellators are used to cut tissue into small pieces to be removed from the body. The problem is that if the tissues carry undetected cancer, it’s being spread within the abdomen and pelvis during these procedures. Many women are battling uterine cancer as result of Power Morcellators being used during their hysterectomies, and shockingly, the average life span following accidental morcellation of a cancerous tumor is only 24-36 months.

Because of this, it’s our mission to spread the word about this to as many people as possible before the upcoming FDA hearing on the device.

This got my attention, ladies.  What about yours?

Judy went on to provide statistics as follows:

• 2nd most common surgery among women in the United States
• By age 70, one out of three American women will have had a hysterectomy
• 90% of these surgeries are done to remove Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus)
• The average life span following accidental morcellation of sarcoma is only 24-36 months
• Only 15% of women who have leiomyosarcoma (LMS) that has spread (stage 4) will be alive after 5 years
• Women with sarcoma who are morcellated are about 4 times more likely to die from sarcoma than if they had not been morcellated.

We have some great information about the device and it’s dangers on our Power Morcellator page. Also, I’d like to share with you an article about our friend Terri, who experienced the effects of this device first-hand. Here is her story: http://www.recallcenter.com/my-morcellation-nightmare-personal-tale.

Please know that the information provided within this article was not intended to provoke fear but in an effort to educate.  I knew none of this before Judy wrote to me.   Now, it is my hope to help raise awareness so that lives can be saved.

The American Recall Center has information on a variety of topics, not just what was mentioned above although it was our primary focus with this article.   Be sure to check out their website for other health information that may be of interest to you and your family.  I was impressed when reading their “About Us” page and scrolling through the different articles on their website.

Ladies, let’s stick together!   Feel free to share this article with your family members and friends as well.

Here’s to your health!