Experts discuss cancer prevention for women

Fort Worth, TX

9/19/2008

By: Krystal Upshaw, Daily Skiff

Three cancer specialists provided information to women on how to reduce their risk for developing cancer when the university hosted its first "Smart Women: Discussions on Women's Cancer Prevention" seminar.

With Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month in September and Breast Cancer Month in October, the event will be held annually in September and will focus on various forms of cancer, said Dr. Suzy Lockwood, associate professor and director of the TCU Center for Oncology Research and Education.

According to the American Cancer Society Web site, an estimated 15,520 women will die this year from ovarian cancer, which ranks second among gynecologic cancers. Another estimated 40,930 women will die of breast cancer this year, according to the Web site. The TCU Center of Oncology Research and Education and the Moncrief Cancer Resources of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center sponsored the event and hope to inform cancer patients and women in the community.

"You really have to be your own advocate in health care nowadays, but in order to be your own advocate you've got to have the education and knowledge," Dr. Lockwood said.

Dr. Mark Messing, a gynecological oncology specialist, made a presentation on ways women can detect gynecological cancers early and touch on the different forms of gynecological cancers that affect women. Dr. Robyn Young, clinical director for the Women's Center at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, spoke on reducing the risk of breast cancer and early detection.

The conference also featured Sara Pirzadeh, a genetic counselor for Moncrief Cancer Resources in the UT Southwestern Medical Center, who touched on the basic genetics of cancer and genetic testing. Along with the presentations, other representatives from various organizations and groups, such as the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, were present to distribute additional educational information on cancer and their services for cancer patients.

"There were also cancer survivors present, but the focus was on providing women with tips on reducing their own risk for developing cancer," Dr. Lockwood said.

The conference was free and a continental breakfast was served. The UT Southwestern Mobile Mammography Unit also conducted mammograms at the event.

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