ABC News anchor Linsey Davis announced her yearslong battle with uterine fibrosis in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE published on Monday (August 11).
“I suffered in silence,” she said. “It’s not something that I would talk to anybody about other than the gynecologist.”
Davis, 47, who anchors the Sunday edition of World News Tonight, as well as Good Morning America and 20/20, said she hopes to raise awareness for those fighting the same battle to not have to do so alone. Fibrosis are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus and can result in numerous symptoms including heavy and prolonged pelvic pains, bloating, constipation and back discomfort.
Many women develop some form of fibrosis over time, however, most don’t notice it because they don’t suffer from severe symptoms. Davis, however, was diagnosed at the age of 13 and told by her doctor that her case was mild, but warned that pregnancy could be difficult.
The anchor gave birth to her son, Ayden, shared with husband Paul Roberts in 2014 and doctors monitored a fibroid growing alongside the baby, but assured her it would likely stop after the pregnancy progressed.
“That’s what happened,” Davis said. “I had my son and didn’t have any concerns.”
Davis said she began experiencing extreme menstrual cycles lasting up to two weeks, which included intense bleeding and severe bloating, six weeks after giving birth. The anchor underwent a myomectomy, which removed six fibroids, leaving her symptom free until she noticed a knot protruding from her lower abdomen about 18 months ago.
An ultrasound revealed that Davis had 13 fibroids, which led to her opting to undergo a hysterectomy to prevent new fibroids from forming scheduled for Friday (August 15).
“I’m excited to be able to live my life without having to schedule and plan and worry and be anxious that I’m gonna have this heavy bleeding and excessive bloating and this uncomfortable menstrual cycle every month. I feel confident that my life will be better,” she told PEOPLE.
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