Federal Government commits $2.5 million to research diagnosis, treatment and cure for endometriosis

RESEARCHERS will be encouraged to bid for a share of $2.5 million in new funding to find new ways to detect and treat a disease which affects one in 10 women.

• Push to expand school program educating girls about period pain, endometriosis
• Advocates shed light on crippling condition for women worldwide

RESEARCHERS will share in $2.5 million of Federal Government funding to find new ways to detect and treat a disease which affects one in 10 women.

It is the first allocation under a promised national action plan on endometriosis.

The debilitating gynaecological condition – which affects women including actors Susan Sarandon and Whoopi Goldberg – can cause severe pain, fatigue, nausea, organ damage and infertility.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the funding would come from the Medical Research Future Fund. “In the coming months we will seek grant applications from researchers which improve the treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis,” he said.

Chloe, Akoi and Nancy, from St Columba College, took part in a trial program teaching young girls about endometriosis. Picture: Matt Turner.

Medical professionals, patients, researchers and politicians met in Melbourne recently to set priorities for the national plan, which will be finalised later this year.

The $2.5 million for an accelerated research program will be directed to work which improves diagnosis, treatment and awareness of the disease.

Patients wait an average of eight years for a diagnosis.

Mr Hunt called for state governments to “come on-board with their own funding and services commitment”.

South Australian politicians are being lobbied ahead of the March 17 election to commit funding to expand a school education program teaching girls about when to seek medical advice on severe period pain, which could be a symptom of endometriosis.

Nicolle Flint, the federal MP for Boothby in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, is part of a group of MPs raising awareness of the condition in Parliament.

She said the funding would “ensure endometriosis is front of mind for researchers and grant decision-makers”.

“I am shocked by the number of women I know who have told me they suffer from endo since I have been raising awareness of this condition,” she said.

“I am even more shocked, and saddened, by the serious impact it has on their quality of life.”