Celebrate Women's Health Day
By TAMMIE TOLER
Princeton Times



PRINCETON — More than 40,000 women die of breast cancer each year.

It is the second-leading cancer cause of women’s deaths in the world, and this year alone, approximately 1,300 West Virginia women will be diagnosed with the disease.

But, breast cancer is treatable, if caught in its early stages, and that’s the reason organizations such as the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program routinely reach out to women and encourage them to get tested for diseases they can control if discovered son enough.

This month, the program is even offering a Celebrate Women’s Health day, by providing screening free of charge. On Sept. 14, the Bluestone Health Clinic will conduct free breast and cervical cancer screening for women.

Thelma Workman, a cancer information specialist with the West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Control Project, said weight, blood sugar and blood pressure screening will be provided for women in attendance, regardless of income, employment or insurance status.

Along with the medical tests, recommended for every woman once a year, Workman said the day will include facials, food, massages, door prizes, skin analysis and entertainment.

“Sometimes, especially with tests such as these, you become apprehensive. That’s why we’re doing the massages, the facials, the free food,” she said. “It’s about everything to do with women’s health.”

She said it is also important to remember that an abnormal test result or an early cancer diagnosis really offer hope of recovery.

“Remember there are options available to treat breast and cervical cancer if it’s detected early. That’s what screenings are all about,” Workman said.

While she invited all women to stop by for the screenings and entertainment, Workman also encouraged managers to allow employees the flexibility to attend, especially in businesses where health insurance is not available to pay for the annual screenings.

The Celebrate Women’s Health Day is being sponsored by the Breast and Cervical Screening Program, the WVDHHR Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the Bluestone Health Center.

For more information on the event, contact Workman at 324-2841 or the Bluestone Health Center at 431-5499.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.