Cancer awareness forum held at Queens Hospital

As part of its continuing effort to eradicate cancer in the borough, Queens Hospital Center held a Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Forum on Thursday, October 5.
&#8220As women, I think we take care of lots of people,” said Dr. Ann Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Queens Health Network. &#8220But sometimes we don't take care of ourselves. We can't do things for others if we're not healthy.”
During the forum, various members of Queens Hospital Center addressed issues such as the human papilloma virus (HPV), lung cancer and smoking in women, colon cancer, breast cancer, high dose rate radiation therapy, clinical trials, gynecologic cancer symptoms and the Breast Health Partnership Program.
Dr. Lise Rehwaldt, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that it is estimated that 4,100 women will die of cervical cancer this year. This form of cancer can be caused by certain forms of HPV and can be detected using a pap smear.
Dr. Jean Fleishman, the Associate Director of Medicine, said that each year more than 150,000 women die of illnesses that come from smoking. She also said that it is possible that women are at a greater risk for getting lung cancer than men and that there are several differences between the two genders when it comes to lung cancer.
&#8220Lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the U.S. in 1987,” she said.
Dr. Margaret Kemeny, the Director of Queens Hospital Center's Cancer Center, said that when it comes to breast and colon cancers, early detection is extremely important. She also said breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women with 40,200 dying of it every year.
Radiation Oncology Director Dr. William Li spoke on the treatment of cancer using radiation.
During the Forum, Dr. George Hagopian discussed some of the cancer warning signs. He listed them as vaginal bleeding or discharge; having a vulvar sore that does not heal; pain or pressure in the pelvic area; a persistent change in bowel or bladder habits; frequent indigestion or abdominal bloating; and a thickening or lump that causes pain or can be seen or felt.
One way in which Queens Hospital Center is helping combat cancer is through various clinical trials. Research Nurse Manager Linda Bulone said that it is important to conduct trials to get answers and said some of the current studies going on at Queens Hospital Center are examining early and late stage breast cancer, lung cancer, Stage IV cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.
&#8220Cancer does affect us all,” Bulone said. &#8220We have a big battle to fight and we want to be able to combat it.”
The last speaker was Carol Weber from the American Cancer Society, who serves as the Director of the Breast Health Partnership. This program enables some women who could not otherwise afford to get screened for breast, cervix and colon cancers to do so.
Queens Hospital Center is located at 82-68 164th Street in Jamaica. For more information, visit www.queenshospitalcenter.org or call 718-883-3000.