‘Pink Party’ to educate women about cancer and provide vouchers for testing
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
KINGSLAND — “Prevention is the best medicine” isn’t just a saying but really good advice, especially if you change it to “early detection is the best medicine” when dealing with two of the most prevalent forms of cancers that affect women.
“Breast cancer and cervical cancer are two of the most common cancers for women, and early detection is really important for both of those,” said Jennifer Reeves, the Llano County AgriLIFE Consumer Science and Family Specialist. “But, for many women, the test for those two cancers can be expensive, especially if they don’t have insurance.”
Even with insurance, some of the early detection tests can cost $185 out of pocket.
On May 22, women can learn about health issues and pick up vouchers for free mammograms and pap tests during the “It’s a Pink Party for Women’s Health” at the Kingsland Community Center, 3451 Rose Hill Drive. The event is 5:30-7:30 p.m., and admission is free.
Dr. Paul Cook will discuss the importance of breast cancer screening and pap tests.
In past years, the event was held in Llano, but Reeves said organizers wanted to make sure women in the Kingsland area had access to the information and tests as well.
“We want to make sure every woman gets helped,” she said.
The event is sponsored by the Texas AgriLIFE Extension service, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and Scott & White Healthcare.
The funds for the vouchers comes through a grant.
Reeves said one of the most important things regarding cancer is early detection.
“It’s important that women of all ages know about these tests,” she added.
Physicians have even lowered the recommended age from 40 to 25 for some cancer-detecting tests, which means more women than ever should be getting tested. But many don’t for numerous reasons, including costs or just not knowing. It’s a Pink Party for Women’s Health aims to inform women about the tests as well as provide financial assistance to get a mammogram and pap tests at a later date at Scott & White Healthcare in Llano.
Call (325) 247-4849 or (325) 423-2730 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com