UNSW Sydney Professor Jason Abbott, one of Australia’s most experienced endometriosis specialists, is available for comment about ABC Four Corners’ investigation into the treatment of a young woman who underwent multiple surgeries for “severe endometriosis”, despite pathology findings reportedly showing little or no evidence of disease.
Professor Abbott is the Interim Director at the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute at UNSW, a national collaboration led by UNSW focused on advancing research into the causes of endometriosis and developing safer, more effective and personalised treatments. He also chairs the National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials (NECST) Network. He has spent more than three decades caring for women living with endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and complex gynaecological conditions. He works closely with patients navigating diagnosis, surgery, fertility concerns and pain management, and advocates for evidence-based, transparent and patient-centred care.
Quotes attributable to Professor Abbott:
“The story highlighted in Four Corners is deeply distressing. Every woman deserves care that is evidence-based, transparent and centred on her long-term wellbeing. It is critical to recognise that repeated endometriosis surgery when there is no reasonable symptomatic relief the first time is making things worse, not better.”
“Endometriosis is a complex condition, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Surgery can be appropriate for some women, but it must be carefully considered, clearly documented and guided by pathology and best-practice standards. People with endometriosis should be empowered to seek a second opinion if they have any concerns, and never be rushed into making a decision about their care.”
Professor Abbott is available for interviews to provide patient-focused expert insight on improving standards of care, restoring trust and ensuring women receive appropriate, evidence-based treatment, including:
• What best-practice diagnosis and surgical management of endometriosis should involve
• The critical role of histopathology and clinical documentation in confirming disease
• Protecting fertility when that is an important outcome for the person is critical.
• The importance of informed consent and shared decision-making
• Why endometriosis treatment must be tailored to the individual, and not a one-size-fits-all approach
• The need for greater transparency from clinicians to patients about surgical information and pathology
• Why the government must provide greater support for improved non-surgical treatment for endometriosis.
Media contact: for interviews, please contact Julia Holman on 0435 124 673 or [email protected]
About endometriosis:
Endometriosis affects one in seven Australian women and costs the Australian economy almost $10 billion annually. Despite its prevalence and impact, endometriosis has been historically underfunded and under-researched compared to diseases of similar prevalence, contributing to delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options and gaps in clinical understanding.
About the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI) at UNSW:
AERI was announced in 2025 as a philanthropic collaboration between the community with lived experience and the University sector. AERI, led by UNSW, is a unique model among Australian research institutes, as it will be a national hub-and-spoke model across five institutions – UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney, and University of Newcastle.
AERI’s mission is to drive research for a clearer understanding of endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic pain syndromes and the ways we can treat the disease to improve lives. This mission aligns with the patient-derived priorities for endometriosis and their calls for greater understanding of the disease (or diseases) that contribute to chronic pain, infertility, total body symptoms and limitations in their physical, mental, social and financial lives.
Contact details:
For interviews, please contact Julia Holman on 0435 124 673 or [email protected]