A Cambridge advocate for endometriosis has started a petition pushing for better treatment and acknowledgment of the disease across Canada, which has now gained support from a member of Parliament.
Laura Cairns has been dealing with endometriosis for nearly 20 years. Her petition, sponsored by MP Elizabeth May, asks for endometriosis and adenomyosis to be officially recognized as disabilities when they impact someone’s ability to work. It also calls for more federal research funding and faster diagnosis times.
“I feel that it is long overdue and I hope that something good comes of this,” Cairns told Cambridge Chronicle.
Endometriosis is a long-term illness affecting about one in ten women worldwide. It happens when tissue like the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, mostly around the pelvic area but sometimes on organs like the bladder, lungs, or even brain. Symptoms often include pelvic pain, painful sex, bowel and bladder problems, fertility struggles, and tiredness.
“Personally, my life has been destroyed by this disease,” said Cairns.
The Endometriosis Network Canada says it usually takes around five years to get diagnosed. In Cairns’ case though, it took 17 years.
LISTEN | Laura Cairns wants to change attitudes toward endometriosis:
The Morning Edition – K-W8:58Cambridge woman starts petition to have endometriosis recognized as disabiltiy
Endometriosis affects one in ten women but many say people don’t take it seriously enough. Laura Cairns hopes a bill presented in Parliament will help shift that view. She explains more about her petition.
Green MP backs petition fully
Cairns tried reaching out to four MPs before who all turned down her petition; May was her last shot.
“I’m very grateful to her that she’s willing to bring this to the table and to fight for it.”
Cambridge Chronicle tried contacting May but couldn’t get through. Instead, Mike Morrice, Deputy Leader of Canada’s Green Party spoke on her behalf saying she completely supports the petition.
“As Greens, we want more focus and funding on research that improves women’s health. We also want stronger advocacy around recognizing women’s health issues and including as many conditions as possible under disability – especially invisible ones,” Morrice said.
WATCH | Advocate wants endometriosis taken seriously:
‘It’s treated like an absolute joke’: Cambridge advocate wants endometriosis taken seriously
Endometriosis is incurable and affects roughly one in ten women worldwide by causing painful tissue growth outside the uterus. Laura Cairns from Cambridge has dealt with this almost twenty years now. She started a petition calling for changes in how Canada treats and recognizes both endometriosis and adenomyosis. Last week MP Elizabeth May accepted the petition which stays open until July 8th for signatures. CBC K-W’s Aastha Shetty talked with Cairns about why labeling endo as a disability matters.
Morrice explained that while people with endometriosis are supposed to qualify for Canada’s Disability Benefit program, only those who meet strict criteria get access through disability tax credits – meaning many miss out financially.
“It’s often a pattern where folks with hidden disabilities don’t receive needed supports – especially since women’s health isn’t prioritized much,” Morrice added.
Cairns describes being stuck between not affording treatment or time off work due to pain.
“I am low-income because of endometriosis. So it’s just this constant back-and-forth where you can’t work because you’re hurting so badly yet risk losing your job if you don’t show up.”
Dr. Mathew Leonardi-a gynecologic surgeon at Mc Master University-said about one in six women lose time at work due to these diseases.
He mentioned he sees lots of patients severely limited by their condition from chronic pelvic pain caused by years without proper care or any treatment at all.
“Generally speaking , it’s from the chronic pelvic pain that comes from those diseases due to many years of incorrect treatments or no treatments at all ,” Leonardi told Cambridge Chronicle.
Yellow ribbon symbolic color for Endometriosis Awareness Month. (Shutterstock / Chinnapong)
Taylor Piskorski , who lives in Cambridge , also suffers from endo. As her family’s main earner , she can’t afford days off.
“On my days off , I’m basically stuck in bed because I’m so wiped out ,” Piskorski shared.
Last year , she had surgery after doctors initially thought a big cyst near her C-section scar was just a hernia.
Now , symptoms returned about a year later and haven’t stopped since.
“I’ve been dealing with flare-ups nonstop over six months ,” she said.
Because symptoms vary so much , it often takes years before anyone realizes it’s really endo happening. Dr. Leonardi noted many women hear their pain is ‘normal.’
“From when symptoms start , people aren’t always sure there’s something wrong because they’re told ‘Well that’s just what being a woman means,’ ” he explained.
Cairns hopes quicker diagnoses will come thanks to her petition.
“The longer you wait , the worse it gets spreading.” she said.” My fertility’s gone now – me and my husband have spent thousands trying just to have kids.”
In the past diagnosis came only through surgery but Dr Leonardi works using imaging tests now instead within his practice aiming less invasive ways.
Treatment challenges faced by women
This disease isn’t easy when searching treatments meant either remove or ease symptoms.
Kysha Phillips from Cambridge suffers stage four bowel involvement type ; diagnosed last year after decade-long struggle ; still hunting expert capable handle surgeries involving bowel removal plus hysterectomy needed.
“I can feel affected part beginning right at bowels extending entire length full scars & lesions,” Phillips described.
Painfully waits up two yrs even hearing back specialist consultation requests.
Dr Leonardi says options remain limited here: “Historically disease got little funding & little attention research wise leading no breakthroughs new treatment discovered.”
Main researchers studying these disorders are surgeons themselves unable devote fully research due demands clinical duties.
If funds allowed could form interdisciplinary teams boosting studies immensely according Dr Leonardi.
The petition requires minimum 500 signatures before parliament tables discussion; once submitted gov’t must reply within 45 days afterwards.
Cairns aims far higher hoping gather close million signers backing cause urgently needed changes made sooner rather than later.
“There are so many desperate people out there including myself ,” she admitted plainly.
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