Most American women develop at least one uterine fibroid — a non-cancerous uterine tumor — by the age of menopause. Fibroids may cause pain, infertility, miscarriage and preterm labor. Treatment and lost time at work add up to $34 billion in annual costs.
Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified some genetic regions associated with increased risk for fibroids. Digna Velez Edwards, PhD, and colleagues have now conducted the first GWAS to search for genetic loci associated with differences in fibroid size and number.