How can interventional radiologists work to increase the acceptance of UFE?
Lipman: Interventional radiologists can talk to hospital administrators and marketing people to tell their stories; it’s a story worth telling. You have patients who are suffering with severe uterine fibroid symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. There are more than 1 million women currently in the United States who we call the “silent sufferers.” They know that fibroids aren’t going to kill them, but having fibroids is making their lives miserable. They don’t want a hysterectomy, but they don’t know of any other options. With this many women suffering, it is our job to educate the public about UFE, which has the potential to give these women their lives back. RT: How has UFE changed the role of interventional radiologists where they practice? Lipman: In the hospitals years ago, no one knew us. Today, that’s not the case. In addition to treating fibroids, there are a number of procedures we perform that replace the need for surgery. The patients are happy, the risk
