Prevention is one of the best ways to protect good health. Women ages 16-26 are invited to attend the first Prevent & Protect Phun Phair on Thursday, August 13, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at The Wellness Company, 132A George M. Cohan Blvd., Providence. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a vaccine, at no cost, that protects against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a cause of cervical cancer. The event will also provide free DermaScans to check for sun exposure and present facts about skin cancer.
This event is being hosted by The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, a statewide coalition funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health, in conjunction with The Wellness Company.
Every year, some 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 4,000 women die from this disease in the country. In 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to add the HPV vaccine to the recommend adolescent and adult immunization schedule. In addition, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the country with more than 1 million people diagnosed annually. Each year, there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon together. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once and this rate is increasing.
The fair is free. For more information or directions, call 401-490-0942 or e-mail: aip@thewellcomp.com. Women younger than 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Women older than 18 should bring health insurance information, but health insurance is not required to attend.
Funding for this conference is from a cooperative agreement award from Center For Disease Control and Prevention.