Every day, millions of women silently struggle with a condition that rarely makes headlines: uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths affect an estimated 70% of white women and up to 80% of Black women by the age of 50, yet awareness around fibroids remains astonishingly low.

A recent PBS NewsHour segment titled “Why uterine fibroid awareness is low despite affecting a large percentage of women” sheds much-needed light on this public health issue—and why it’s so often overlooked.

In the PBS feature, Sateria Venable, founder of The Fibroid Foundation, shares her personal battle with fibroids, which included multiple surgeries and a long road to proper care. Her story echoes what many women have faced: being dismissed, misinformed, and feeling alone.

Hollywood is also taking notice. Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o recently revealed that she had 30 fibroids removed. She’s now using her voice to fund uterine fibroid research and challenge the idea that women should quietly endure this condition. Her message is clear: female pain is real—and deserves attention.

At Fibroid Fighters, we’re committed to breaking the silence. Here’s what you should know and why now is the time to speak up.

Why We Must Keep Fighting

Lack of fibroid awareness is a health equity issue. Black women are more likely to develop fibroids earlier, with more severe symptoms, yet often face greater barriers to treatment and support. Tackling this disparity means amplifying voices, funding research, and ensuring that women are fully informed about all their options.