Women with endometriosis will soon have access to more resources to support their care, with funding from the Palaszczuk Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a $426,800 investment to the Endometriosis Association Queensland (QENDO) is helping build a much-needed new dedicated App for sufferers.
One in ten women are now affected by endometriosis, which occurs when tissue, similar to the uterus lining grows outside the uterus and attaches itself to other organs. As yet there is no cure for the disease.
“This is a great initiative for women and the countless sufferers plagued by such a painful and crippling disease,” the Premier said.
“Many sufferers think the headaches, painful cramps and feeling exhausted are just a normal part of life until they eventually seek help and learn they have endometriosis.
“So many women don’t know why they can’t have a child.
“They feel under great pressure and so do their families.
“Many eventually seek help and they learn they have crippling endometriosis.
“It’s imperative we contribute to improving women’s knowledge of this painful affliction and their health outcomes and the new app from QUENDO will be so vital in this regard.”
Health Minister Steven Miles said the funding helped QENDO create a new app tailored specifically for the needs of women with Endometriosis and pelvic pain and the families that support them.
“The development and subsequent rollout of the app is based on an existing aged care app,” he said.
“Through the app, women will be able to track and report their symptoms, develop a care plan, and use many resources to assist in their treatment.
“The app will also allow for peer-to-peer support, with women being able to share their experiences and knowledge with others in a similar position.”
QENDO has consulted experts in the field, as well endometriosis sufferers, in building the app.
QENDO President Ms Jessica Taylor said the app is invaluable and will help women to remember that they are not alone, and support is available.
“Endometriosis has a huge impact on not only on individuals and their families, but on our health system, our education system and businesses,” Ms Taylor said.
“For too long, women have been suffering in silence or had their symptoms dismissed due to a lack of understanding of this disease.
“Our goal for the app is to help give women a voice, and tangibly track and share their health journeys with their support network and wider community. We encourage women to create a toolbox and this app is at the core.
“Most importantly, the app aims to improve the quality of life of patients through better treatment, diagnosis and will be a useful tool in helping us ultimately find a cure.”
The free app will be available in June 2020.
