Women’s health breakthroughs are responsible for saving thousands of lives. Even in situations where a condition isn’t life threatening, these innovations produce new methods that increase the quality of life for many patients.
- Fight Infertility with a Uterus Transplant
The uterus transplant is a relatively new procedure that has had positive results. The first American clinical trial was performed in 2015 and involved a transplant into a 26 year old patient. The first attempt failed and the new uterus had to be removed. Despite the setback, there have been successful transplants in Sweden. If perfected, this surgery could assist the over 50,000 U.S. women who experience infertility as a result of uterine removal or damage.
- An Improved Breast Cancer Detection Method
Breast cancer is a major concern for many women. Thanks to science and medicine, the way we detect this type of cancer keeps getting more and more accurate. Using a method called Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), we can now uncover three times as many breast tumors than those found using mammography. This is an important step forward for women with dense breasts that are harder to view using traditional mammograms.
- A Better HPV Vaccine
An estimated 79 million Americans are infected with HPV. The Gardisil 9 vaccine received FDA approval in 2014. This updated version added five strains to the original and can prevent 90% of all vulvar, cervical, anal, and vaginal cancers.
Women who are concerned about cancer prevention should schedule regular, annual exams with their gynecologist. Contact Women’s Health and Menopause Center Southeast Michigan offices now to schedule an appointment to learn more about prevention and staying healthy.
