BASSETERRE St. Kitts, June 10th 2011 (SKNIS) - By coordinating a Women’s Health Forum, the Ministry of Health is ensuring that the Federation’s females are armed with the information to conquer cervical cancer and the preceding HPV Infection.
 
The Women’s Health Forum which takes place Sunday, June 26 in the Ballroom of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, will feature guest speaker Dr. Troy Gatcliffe, a gynecological and reproductive cancers specialist affiliated with Baptist Health International, Miami in the U.S.  He will address the theme of the forum: “Prevention of Cervical Cancer and HPV Infection.”  Following Dr. Gatcliffe’s presentation, audience participation will be invited for questions and comments.
 
Dr. Hazel Williams-Roberts, Director of Community Health Services informed the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service that a marked increase in the number of cervical cancer cases in the Federation was detected. 
 
“The women of the Federation are therefore invited to come and find out about the symptoms of human papillomavirus or HPV Infection and the various conditions, to which it can lead, including cancers,”  Dr. Roberts stated.

“Armed with this information, women are encouraged to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.”
 
The Director of Community Health Services emphasized that while the information is important for women of reproductive age (girls and women who menstruate) it is also applicable for menopausal women.  She explained that women who are past their reproductive years including those who may no longer be sexually active are still at risk for cervical cancer.  Dr. Williams-Roberts explained that these are some of the issues that will be discussed by Dr. Gatcliffe with particular emphasis being placed on screening and early detection of HPV infection and cervical cancer.

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