Women’s Health Week

 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Urges Women to Get Screened During National Women’s Health Week

Prowers County, CO— Each year, Mother’s Day kicks off Women’s Health Week, a time to focus on the women in our lives and encourage them to look after themselves the way they look after us. The American Cancer Society joins the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in urging women everywhere to schedule preventive screenings during Women’s Health Week, May 12–18.

Women who don’t receive appropriate cancer screenings face a greater risk of late stage cancer detection and death. The good news is that early diagnosis through regular screenings can prevent 98 percent of breast cancer deaths, 96 percent of cervical cancer deaths and 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths. Such screenings can save hundreds of lives and keep thousands of women from getting cancer.

“Women are often the caregivers in the family,” said Dr. Chris Urbina, executive director and chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “During Women’s Health Week, we want to recognize how important their health is to us and urge them to talk to their doctors about the screening they need to prevent cancer and lead a long, healthy life.”

Resources are available around the state for free breast and cervical cancers screenings. The department’s Women’s Wellness Connection program offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to eligible women. The program works in partnership with American Cancer Society to operate a statewide referral and information line. To learn about the program and/or schedule a screening, call 719-545-4992 or 1-866-951-WELL (9355). Visit www.womenswellnessconnection.org to learn more.

Local resources for colorectal cancer screenings for women and men 50 years or older may exist in your community. To learn about the Colorado Colorectal Screening Program, call 1-866-227-7914 or visit colonscreen.coloradocancercenter.org to learn about participating clinics and eligibility criteria.

About American Cancer Society

For nearly 100 years, the American Cancer Society has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we’re helping people stay well, helping people get well, finding cures, and fighting back against cancer.

About Women’s Health Week

National Women’s Health Week is a nationwide initiative that calls attention to the importance of women’s health. National Women’s Health Week empowers women to take small, manageable steps for longer, healthier, happier lives. Those steps include eating healthy, being active, managing stress, getting enough sleep and visiting their health care providers to schedule preventive screenings.

During the week, families, health organizations, businesses, communities, the government and individuals come together to raise awareness of women’s health and support activities that showcase the importance of women’s health. For a list of Colorado Women’s Health Week events, go to http://womenshealth.gov/nwhw/events/index.cfm?sort=state&type=current.