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【The Epoch Times, August 28, 2004 Report】(Central News Agency Reporter Chen Huizhen, Taipei, 28th)
Gynecologists today pointed out that the prevalence of hysterectomy among women over 60 in Taiwan is one in seven, which is lower than in countries like the UK and the US. However, in recent years, the rate of hysterectomy surgeries in Taiwan has shown a yearly increasing trend.
The Taiwan Gynecological Society held the "Modern Gynecology and Biotechnology Academic Seminar" today, where Dr. Xu Jinyuan from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Mackay Hospital presented a report titled "Analysis of the Current Status of Hysterectomy in Taiwan."
He said that overall, the prevalence of hysterectomy among women in Taiwan is not high. In 1992, about 7% to 10% of women aged 40 to 60 in Taiwan had undergone hysterectomy, compared to one-third of women in the US and South Australia who had lost their uterus before the age of 60, and one-fifth in the UK.
Analyzing data from the National Health Insurance from 1998 to 2000, the hysterectomy rate in Taiwan is 26 per 10,000 female population, with the prevalence among women over 60 being about one in seven, still lower than in the UK and the US.
However, another study shows that the rate of hysterectomy surgeries among Taiwanese women has been increasing year by year, with a certain medical center doubling its hysterectomy surgeries within ten years; the Medical Reform Association also pointed out in July last year that nearly one-fifth of hysterectomy cases were inappropriate , indicating that the issue of hysterectomy in Taiwan is worth in-depth discussion.
Although hysterectomy is mainly influenced by medical factors, there are also non-medical factors. Non-medical factors include economic incentives and cultural factors. The economic incentive lies in the fact that doctors can earn more income from more procedures, and insured individuals under public, labor, and farmer insurance can receive six months of disability benefits if they undergo hysterectomy before the age of 45 .
As for cultural factors, the uterus is often seen as a symbol of femininity. Women who have undergone hysterectomy often worry about whether it will affect their marital life and whether they will still be seen as normal women. Some women thus develop depressive moods. Additionally, the traditional Chinese belief that "the body, hair, and skin are received from parents and should not be harmed" sometimes makes doctors reluctant to recommend hysterectomy for women with indications.
Dr. Xu Jinyuan believes that timely and appropriate treatment is a key factor in ensuring quality, and it is necessary to focus on the appropriateness and quality of medical treatment. Excessive or insufficient treatment can both affect the quality of medical care.
Source: http://www. epochtimes. com/ b5/ 4/ 8/ 28/ n642961. htm
Lower Hysterectomy Prevalence in Taiwanese Women over 60 Compared to UK and US
Gynecologists today pointed out that the prevalence of hysterectomy among women over 60 in Taiwan is one in seven, which is lower than in countries like the UK and the US. However, in recent years, the rate of hysterectomy surgeries in Taiwan has shown a yearly increasing trend.
The Taiwan Gynecological Society held the "Modern Gynecology and Biotechnology Academic Seminar" today, where Dr. Xu Jinyuan from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Mackay Hospital presented a report titled "Analysis of the Current Status of Hysterectomy in Taiwan."
He said that overall, the prevalence of hysterectomy among women in Taiwan is not high. In 1992, about 7% to 10% of women aged 40 to 60 in Taiwan had undergone hysterectomy, compared to one-third of women in the US and South Australia who had lost their uterus before the age of 60, and one-fifth in the UK.
Analyzing data from the National Health Insurance from 1998 to 2000, the hysterectomy rate in Taiwan is 26 per 10,000 female population, with the prevalence among women over 60 being about one in seven, still lower than in the UK and the US.
However, another study shows that the rate of hysterectomy surgeries among Taiwanese women has been increasing year by year, with a certain medical center doubling its hysterectomy surgeries within ten years; the Medical Reform Association also pointed out in July last year that nearly one-fifth of hysterectomy cases were inappropriate , indicating that the issue of hysterectomy in Taiwan is worth in-depth discussion.
Although hysterectomy is mainly influenced by medical factors, there are also non-medical factors. Non-medical factors include economic incentives and cultural factors. The economic incentive lies in the fact that doctors can earn more income from more procedures, and insured individuals under public, labor, and farmer insurance can receive six months of disability benefits if they undergo hysterectomy before the age of 45 .
As for cultural factors, the uterus is often seen as a symbol of femininity. Women who have undergone hysterectomy often worry about whether it will affect their marital life and whether they will still be seen as normal women. Some women thus develop depressive moods. Additionally, the traditional Chinese belief that "the body, hair, and skin are received from parents and should not be harmed" sometimes makes doctors reluctant to recommend hysterectomy for women with indications.
Dr. Xu Jinyuan believes that timely and appropriate treatment is a key factor in ensuring quality, and it is necessary to focus on the appropriateness and quality of medical treatment. Excessive or insufficient treatment can both affect the quality of medical care.
Source: http://www. epochtimes. com/ b5/ 4/ 8/ 28/ n642961. htm