From Awareness to Action: What the UK’s First Fibroid Summit Means for the Future of Women’s Healthcare 

By Miss Mez Aref-Adib, Consultant Gynaecologist at London Gynaecology 

Fibroids are one of the most common gynaecological conditions, affecting up to 80% of women during their lifetime. Yet despite their prevalence, too many people continue to face delayed diagnosis, limited awareness of treatment options and years of living with symptoms that can have a profound impact on their daily lives. 

Heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure symptoms, fertility concerns and pregnancy complications are all associated with fibroids, but many patients are still told that their symptoms are simply something they have to live with. Others may see multiple healthcare professionals before receiving a diagnosis or understanding the full range of treatment options available to them. 

It was against this backdrop that clinicians, researchers, radiologists, surgeons, GPs, patient advocates, policymakers and women with lived experience came together for the inaugural UK Fibroid Summit. More than a scientific meeting, the summit represented a shared commitment to improving how fibroids are understood, diagnosed and treated across the UK. 

London Gynaecology was proud to contribute to this important milestone, with Consultant Gynaecologist Miss Mez Aref-Adib playing a key role in organising the event and Founder and Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Narendra Pisal joining the expert faculty as one of the day’s moderators. 

Fibroids are common. Delayed diagnosis shouldn’t be. 

One of the strongest messages throughout the summit was simple: while fibroids are incredibly common, delayed diagnosis should not be. 

Many patients continue to experience years of symptoms before seeking help or receiving appropriate investigations. Heavy periods are often normalised, pelvic pain dismissed and conversations about menstrual health delayed by stigma or a lack of awareness. 

Improving outcomes starts with recognising symptoms earlier, increasing awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals, and ensuring that every woman has access to evidence-based information about her treatment options. 

As discussions throughout the day highlighted, improving fibroid care isn’t simply about developing new treatments, it’s about ensuring women are heard, believed and supported from the very beginning of their healthcare journey. 

Collaboration, not competition 

One of the defining themes of the summit was collaboration. 

Rather than individual specialties working independently, the event brought together experts from across the healthcare system to explore how a more joined-up approach can improve patient outcomes. 

Reflecting on the event, Miss Mez Aref-Adib said: 

“If we’re going to change outcomes for women living with fibroids, we need to stop working in silos. Better care depends on better collaboration, stronger research, improved data and ensuring that patient voices are at the centre of every conversation. Bringing together so many passionate people with the same goal was incredibly inspiring, and it reinforced that real progress happens when we learn from one another.” 

That collaborative spirit was evident throughout the programme, with conversations spanning diagnosis, imaging, surgery, medical management, research, public health, patient advocacy and future policy. 

From awareness to action 

Opening the summit, Dr. Alison Wright , President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), encouraged delegates to move fibroid care beyond awareness and towards meaningful action. 

Her call to work alongside women with lived experience and continue engaging policymakers reflected a wider ambition shared throughout the day: ensuring fibroid care receives the attention it deserves within the wider women’s health agenda. 

The message was clear. Awareness alone is no longer enough. 

Improving outcomes requires investment in research, stronger clinical pathways, better education, equitable access to care and continued collaboration across every part of the healthcare system. 

Putting patient voices at the heart of care 

One of the most powerful aspects of the summit was the prominence given to lived experience. 

Patient advocates including Dawn Heels and Sateria Venable reminded delegates that behind every statistic is a person navigating the physical, emotional and practical realities of living with fibroids. 

A moving short film by Joan Iyiola explored those experiences through a creative lens, prompting important conversations about how women can feel unheard, dismissed or isolated while seeking answers. 

Throughout the day, one message was repeated time and again: patients should never have to fight to be listened to. 

Listening to women’s experiences is not separate from delivering excellent clinical care, it is fundamental to it. 

Innovation is transforming fibroid care 

The summit also showcased the remarkable progress being made across fibroid diagnosis and treatment. 

Experts shared developments in primary care pathways, advanced imaging, uterine artery embolisation, medical therapies, radiofrequency ablation, minimally invasive surgery, fertility considerations, pregnancy following myomectomy, hysteroscopy and the growing role of data in improving long-term outcomes. 

Highlights included presentations from: 

• Farah Ahmed on strengthening primary care pathways. 

• Joel Naftalin on the future of fibroid imaging. 

• Ian Renfrew on uterine artery embolisation. 

• Professor Ertan Saridogan on advances in medical management. 

• Miss Natalie Nunes on radiofrequency ablation. 

• Professor Elizabeth Stewart, whose decades of fibroid research continue to shape care internationally. 

• Alison Amoah on the importance of meaningful data and outcomes. 

• Natalie Cooper on integrated women’s health services. 

• Andrea Tinelli, Abiodun Fakokunde, Tony Chalhoub, Anna McDougall and Justin Clark, who shared expertise across surgery and hysteroscopy. 

• Dr Christine Ekechi, who concluded the programme with an inspiring vision for the future of fibroid care. 

Together, these sessions demonstrated just how rapidly the field continues to evolve, offering patients an increasing range of personalised, evidence-based treatment options. 

Five key messages from the UK Fibroid Summit 

Although the discussions covered a wide range of topics, several themes emerged consistently throughout the day: 

• Fibroids are common, but delayed diagnosis should not be. 

• Patients must remain central to every conversation about improving care. 

• Collaboration between specialties is essential to transforming outcomes. 

• Innovation is creating more personalised treatment options than ever before. 

• The future of fibroid care depends on turning awareness into action. 

Looking ahead 

The inaugural UK Fibroid Summit was never intended to be a one-off event. It marked the beginning of a wider movement to improve fibroid care through collaboration, research, education and advocacy. 

Reflecting on the day, Miss Mez Aref-Adib said: 

“As clinicians, we see every day the impact fibroids can have on people’s lives. My hope is that events like this help ensure that future generations experience earlier diagnosis, greater awareness and more equitable access to the care they deserve. Every woman should feel empowered to seek help, ask questions and know that effective treatment options are available. This summit was just the beginning.” 

At London Gynaecology, we are proud to have contributed to this landmark event and remain committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based fibroid care while supporting the wider conversations that continue to shape the future of women’s health.