A Women’s Health Fair is Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 2051 N. State St.
The health center is using the event to raise awareness about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) disease and the importance of getting screened.
Participants aged 21 to 65 can get a cervical cancer screening that very day by calling ahead at 620-231-9873 to schedule an appointment. Walk-in screenings will also be available.
Information on mammography, colorectal health, vaccines, early detection methods and more will also be available at the fair.
According to the CDC, about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in U.S. women every year, of which about 4,000 will die.
Pap smears are the best way to detect cervical cancer.
Women aged 21-29, should get a pap smear every three years if the results are normal. For women aged 30-65, providers recommend a pap smear with HPV testing every five years if results are normal. For women over age 65, the decision to stop screening depends on history and should be discussed with their provider.
Early detection is key, CHC/SEK physician Holly Gault said.
“We’ve seen several cervical cancer cases in young people that could’ve been prevented or caught earlier in the disease progression with proper screening,” Gault said.
CHC/SEK also participates in the Early Detection Works Program, which is a breast and cervical cancer screening program for Kansas women, and the clinic offers other financial assistance programs. Patients can learn more about Early Detection Works during the fair.
Another way CHC/SEK is helping prevent cervical cancer is by talking to parents about getting their children immunized for HPV. High-risk HPV infection is associated with nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
“There is a rise in cervical, head, and neck cancer, caused by HPV,” Gault said, adding these cancers could be prevented with immunizations for HPV.
The CDC and the American Cancer Society recommend HPV vaccination (Gardasil) for females and males as early as 11 years of age. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Gardasil three-dose series for individuals up to 45 years of age.
For more information about the upcoming event call the clinic at 620-231-9873.
