Women’s Health Week Is at the Health Centers October 24-28
The Union's Health and Dental Centers will be hosting Women's Health Week from Monday, October 24, through Friday, October 28. The theme of the event is “Relax your mind and strengthen your body,” and it is hoped that a large number of members will take advantage of the many benefits it will offer, just as many members did for the recent Men’s Health Week.
As always, no appointments will be necessary for any of our members who are women, age 20 and older, who visit any of the Union's Health Centers (or the 14 Penn Plaza Dental Center) any day that week to participate in Women’s Health Week. And there are lots of reasons why they should choose to do so. In the past, for example, members who were previously unaware that they had high blood pressure were able to have their conditions diagnosed and treated as a result of a simple visit to a Health Center during Women’s Health Week. For some of these members Women’s Health Week could certainly be said to have prolonged their lives because high blood pressure is known as the “the silent killer,” a condition that often has no noticeable physical symptoms but can nevertheless lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other serious issues. It is very important to have one’s blood pressure checked from time to time, and Women’s Health Week provides a convenient opportunity to do so.
There are other reasons why Women’s Health Week is so important. Women who attended previous Women’s Health Week events learned of other medical conditions besides high blood pressure that they didn’t know they had. And all women who have attended in the past have learned great tips on how to stay healthy.
There are still other reasons why Women’s Health Week is such an important event. Women who visit any of the Health Centers next week will receive tests and screenings that will allow their doctors to detect early signs of different types of cancer, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer and oral cancer. Tests for high cholesterol may also be administered. During these visits, doctors will also supply information on a number of other diseases and conditions that specifically affect women.
As everyone should know, early detection is the greatest weapon against cancer. This is especially important to know when one considers the fact that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. In addition, more than 100,000 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year and 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer are found annually.
But while that’s the bad news there is also good news: Early detection of cancer saves lives!
It’s true! While thousands of women die annually from cervical cancer, death from this illness can be virtually eliminated in those who undergo annual testing. It is facts like these that should serve as convincing evidence of the value of an event like Women's Health Week.
It should also be noted that Women's Health Week will be devoted to total women's health. The event will provide not only examinations and testing for early signs of cancer, but information on a number of other diseases and conditions that specifically affect women. Members who visit the Health Centers during Women's Health Week will receive information on family planning, infertility, menopause, osteoporosis and infectious diseases, for example, as well as other important health matters that directly apply to women.
As an annual health awareness event, Women’s Health Week is well into its second decade of servicing members. In each of the previous years, members who attended viewed the event as a valuable experience. Members who take advantage of Women's Health Week any day between October 24 and 28 will receive important medical services and will become equipped with valuable knowledge to ensure good health in the future.
The Health Centers are working hard in preparation for Women's Health Week, ensuring that it will be a pleasant and educational experience for all. Once again, this important event will take place at the Union's Health Centers (and 14 Penn Plaza Dental Center for dental visits only) Monday, October 24, through Friday, October 28, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with no appointments necessary for women members who are age 20 and older.
