Health Department hosts health fair

By
Lindsey Larson
-
96

The Utah County Health Department is hosting the Celebration of Light women’s health fair in preparation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The fair will be held today at the Utah County Health and Justice Building and will offer vouchers for mammograms, screenings for vision, fasting glucose, skin cancer, blood pressure and bone mass.

“Screening costs are on a sliding scale and are based on income,” said Lance Madigan, public information officer for the Utah County Health Department.  “Many are free, such as skin cancer checks, and others will range up to what you would pay at a typical doctor visit.”

The health fair is geared toward women ages 40 to 60, but women of all ages are invited to attend.

“Since this is grant funded, some older or younger women wouldn’t qualify for some of the services, but others such as skin cancer checks are open to everyone, even men,” Madigan said.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in the United States every year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, accounted for 68,130 cases of skin cancer in 2010.
Bone-mass screening, also offered at the fair, is important in detecting early osteoporosis. Ten million people in the U.S., 80 percent of whom are women, have osteoporosis. Eighteen million more are at risk of developing it, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Refreshments and educational materials on various women’s health issues will be provided at the fair.

Appointments are necessary for many screenings, so those who wish to receive one should call 801-851-7031 or visit UtahCountyhealth.org for more information.

The Celebration of Light health fair will be held at 151 S. University Ave. from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

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