Mapping the cultural and social landscape of uterine leiomyomas: Fibroid tumors as a Black woman's disease

Sydney Janelle Dillard, Purdue University

Abstract

In this dissertation, I explore a particular health issue called uterine fibroids (uterine leiomyomas), as it has been found to be the most common pelvic tumor occurring in all women in the US. The purpose of the dissertation is to explore how the social and cultural meaning of fibroid tumors are constructed in the narratives of African American women living with it within the localized context of Cook County, IL. Though proven to be prevalent in a large portion of women in the US, uterine fibroids have been found to be most prevalent in African American women and have been reported to be higher than 80%. Moreover, several epidemiological studies have shown that African American women are more likely than Caucasian women to have multiple fibroids, that are larger in diameter, with greater uterine weights, and more severe symptoms. Given this health issues physical, financial, and emotional burden in African American women's lives, my dissertation employs the theoretical framing of the culture-centered approach (CCA). CCA places emphasis on the need for investigating alternative entry points to interpreting health and the ways in which ideas of health are delivered, particularly within marginalized populations. Thus, the dissertation's primary goal is to allow African American women who have or have had the disease to provide alternative understandings of the health issue through their lived experience, thus leading towards change in the research agendas and funding of studies on women's reproductive health and pointing towards structural modifications as articulated by underserved populations.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Dutta, Purdue University.

Subject Area

African American Studies|Black studies|Womens studies|Communication|Public health

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