Though not as infamous as breast cancer, uterine fibroids (myomas) are an extremely widespread disease amongst our population of women. According to most studies, approximately 70% of all women suffer from uterine fibroids by the time they reach menopause (age 50). Black women are at a slightly higher risk of getting uterine fibroids, with a prevalence of about 80% around the age of menopause, as compared to caucasian women, for whom the prevalence is estimated at about 60% at menopausal age. The prevalence of uterine fibroids in other racial minorities has not been well studied to date. 

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Though more common among older women, uterine fibroids are still pretty widespread among younger women, as well. At age 35, about 60% of black women and 40% of caucasian women suffer from uterine fibroids. This can cause its own set of problems. Because approximately 25-50% of women with uterine fibroids remain asymptomatic, they can be exposed to serious pregnancy-related issues if a uterine fibroid is undetected prior to the onset of pregnancy.