Remember: Next Week Is Women’s Health Week

This is a reminder to all members that next week is Women’s Health Week at the Health and Dental Centers. The event is open to all women members, age 20 or older, and it will take place at all of these facilities from Monday, November 2 up to and including Friday, November 6, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

No appointments are necessary for women who choose to visit any of the Union's Health Centers (or the 14 Penn Plaza Dental Center) any day next week to participate in Women’s Health Week. And there are lots of reasons why members 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 effects but can nevertheless lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.

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 that they didn’t know they had. And all women who have attended in the past have learned great tips on how to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

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 testing and an exam that will allow their doctors to detect early signs of cancers, as well as diabetes or other causes for concern. Tests for high cholesterol may also be administered, along with other valuable screenings. 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 as frightening as those statistics are, there is also some good news: Early detection of cancer saves lives! As an example, 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 conditions and situations that are specific to 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.

This is the 16th year the Health Centers are hosting Women’s Health Week. In each of the previous years members who attended this health and wellness event viewed it as a valuable experience. Last year’s event was remarkably successful, when a record number of more than 5,000 members taking advantage of the health benefits and peace of mind that are available from attending Women’s Health Week.

Remember, those who take advantage of Women's Health Week next week will receive important medical services and will become equipped with valuable knowledge to ensure good health in the future. The Health and Dental 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 and Dental Centers Monday, November 2, through Friday, November 6, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., without appointments being necessary to participate.