This month’s Research Tuesdays public lecture will delve into the latest in accessible care for people with endometriosis.
Nearly one million Australians suffer from endometriosis, where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, and can suffer debilitating pain, pelvic inflammation, headaches, fatigue, and even infertility.
Professor Louise Hull, and Dr Jodie Avery from the Adelaide Endometriosis Research Group based at University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute and will share their recent findings on diagnosis and management for the condition at Research Tuesdays.
It can take around seven years for a formal diagnosis. Estimates suggest the condition costs Australia billions of dollars per year through healthcare expenses and loss of earnings.
“Despite the toll it takes, pathways to diagnosis and treatment are still challenging,” said Professor Hull.
“Symptoms can be overlooked or normalised, and the most common diagnostic tool, keyhole surgery, is costly and invasive.”
The IMAGENDO Program involves the use of less invasive specialist scans such as transvaginal ultrasounds, gynaecological MRIs and artificial intelligence to diagnose endometriosis.
“The technology is currently 90 per cent accurate in distinguishing positive from negative cases which is similar to that of a specialist endometriosis doctor,” Dr Avery said.
“In order to help our work we need to recruit more people for the program. We want to hear from people who suspect they have endometriosis, who will be having surgery for the condition within the next six months, or even those who are completely asymptomatic, so we can teach the AI what a normal pelvis looks like.”
Dr Beck O’Hara will also present at the lecture about her work as Project Coordinator of the federally funded EndoZone website, which aims to empower and support people with endometriosis, and will also speak about improvements in that area.
Research Tuesdays will begin at 5.30pm on Tuesday, 13 August.
Speakers
Professor Louise Hull is an obstetrician and gynaecologist with a PhD in endometriosis from the University of Cambridge. She founded and leads the Adelaide Endometriosis Research Group at RRI. She was involved in the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, and she is an International Ambassador for the World Endometriosis Society. Professor Hull also provides fertility and endometriosis consultations at Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Embrace Fertility in Norwood.
Dr Beck O’Hara is an experienced researcher who has worked in chronic disease, health policy and health promotion research for more than 15 years for state and local government, non-profit organisations and universities. Since 2019, her work has focused on improving endometriosis diagnosis and management through digital health technologies. She is the Project Coordinator of EndoZone, a digital platform designed to empower and support people with endometriosis, which is funded by the Australian Government.
Dr Jodie Avery is Senior Research Fellow and IMAGENDO Program Manager in the Adelaide Endometriosis Research Group at RRI. As a chronic disease epidemiologist, her primary area of research has concerned non-invasive diagnosis, quality of life, and the intersection of women’s chronic health conditions with psychosocial factors that may influence other associated co-morbidities. This includes investigating psychosocial and mental health aspects of women’s chronic conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and incontinence throughout the life course. Ultimately, Dr Avery hopes to increase awareness and timely care for endometriosis and PCOS within the medical community.
When
Tuesday, 13 August, 5:30-6:30 pm.
Where
The Braggs Building, North Terrace campus, The University of Adelaide.
Tickets
Click here to reserve an in-person ticket / Click here to register for the online webinar.
