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New Spot Her Initiative Empowers Women
to Spot the Potential Signs and Speak Up About Endometrial Cancer
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Nefa-Tari Moore was a newlywed of six months and a 12-year veteran of the health care industry when her entire life changed. In 2013, Moore was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She was 33.
“When I first heard the words, ‘you have cancer,’ everything paused,” Moore recalls. “It’s like the world stopped. I felt numb.”
Did you know?
frequently diagnosed cancer in women, and endometrial cancer (which accounts for 90% of uterine cancers) is one of the few cancers where both diagnoses and death rates are increasing in the U.S.
Uterine cancer is the fourth most
65,000+ New Cases
Each year in the United States alone, there are more than 65,000 new cases diagnosed and, in 2021, 12,900 women are estimated to die of uterine cancer.
Major Health Disparities
The overall five-year survival rate for uterine cancers in the U.S., which are already consistently under-recognized, is 62% in Black women compared to 84% in white women.
Across Generations
While endometrial cancer may more commonly occur in post-menopausal women, diagnoses are on the rise among women ages 20 to 49, when fertility may be an important concern.
Moore's experience with endometrial cancer has made her an advocate. “I decided to get involved with Spot Her because I’m really passionate about advocating for women’s health,” says Moore, now a proud cancer survivor and Uterine/Endometrial Program and Outreach Coordinator with SHARE. “It’s important to talk about my experience because so many other women are going through this in their own lives, and I’ve been in their shoes.”
As a practicing nurse, Moore had learned to be in tune with her body. Back in 2013, she’d experienced abnormal menstrual symptoms for over two months including severe weakness, heavy bleeding, and intense lower back pain. She knew something was wrong and went to the ER.
“The first and only time I went into the ER, the symptoms I was experiencing were dismissed,” Moore recalls. The ER doctors told her it was probably just stress and that the bleeding could just be a change in her menstrual cycle. They performed a pregnancy test and suggested she go home and get some rest.
Moore knew her body and felt it was something more, so she asked for further tests. Her persistence paid off. A medical technician performed a transvaginal ultrasound on her, which showed that her uterus was enlarged. After receiving a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, the OB/GYN delivered the three painful words that changed Moore’s life forever, "You have cancer."
The Spot Her campaign was developed to help women familiarize themselves with some of the most common symptoms of endometrial cancer, which can include what Moore experienced—heavy bleeding, intense back pain, weakness—as well as spotting, brownish discharge after menopause, irregular bleeding in women before menopause, and pelvic pain or pressure. These are not all of the possible symptoms of endometrial cancer, and it's important to discuss any symptoms of concern with your doctor. Spot Her also encourages women to be aware of their genetic history, including whether certain cancers like colon or uterine cancer run in their family. Knowing your history and your body may make the difference in identifying endometrial cancer early, when it may be more treatable.
Only 53% of Black women with endometrial cancer receive an early diagnosis.
Know your body
Know the
potential signs
Be an advocate for yourself and other women
Endometrial cancer may be on the rise, but with initiatives like Spot Her, there is hope that women will spot potential signs and symptoms and address them with their doctor early, when the disease may be more treatable.
“We know that when women come together to rally around a cause, change happens,” Moore says. “Together, we hope to inspire others to join us as we raise our voices around this serious cancer and give endometrial cancer the attention it deserves.”
Eisai is helping FORCE and SHARE provide support for women living with endometrial cancer by donating $1 (up to $20,000) to both organizations for every Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram post shared using #SpotHerforEC. For more stories, resources and information, and to join the initiative, visit www.SpotHerforEC.com.
What SHE didn't know
See how small moments MaY help
you spot endometrial cancer
Moore was relieved when she completed her first round of treatment, but nine months later, the cancer returned. This time, she needed a hysterectomy. "That was a big blow," she says.
Now fully in remission, Moore dedicates her time to raising awareness as a spokeswoman for Spot Her. Her advice to women is threefold: know your body, know the potential signs of endometrial cancer, and be an advocate for yourself and other women.
Unfortunately Moore is not alone, with endometrial cancer diagnoses and deaths on the rise. In response to this important health issue, SHARE Cancer Support (SHARE), Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), and Black Health Matters, in partnership with Eisai, announced a new public awareness initiative called Spot Her. The campaign was created to help end the silence around endometrial cancer and inspire the women in our lives to listen, advocate and put our health and the health of other women first.
Unfortunately, Moore’s experience is common for Black women and women of color.
“Only 53% of Black women with endometrial cancer receive an early diagnosis,” says Roslyn Daniels, Founder and President of Black Health Matters. “Due to the inequality of health outcomes for Black women, it is especially important for them to be able to identify symptoms and seek help.”
Recognizing and voicing below the belt symptoms may help end the stigma around endometrial cancer.
Visit SpotHerforEC.com for Resources
Visit SpotHerforEC.com for Resources
Sponsored by Eisai Inc.
Sponsored by Eisai Inc.