The Beverly Hills Chamber Of Commerce has announced that it is conducting educational forums in April that focus on women's health issues.

The chamber reports in its monthly newsletter about the efforts of Dr. Beth Young Karlan to raise awareness of the dangers of gynecologic cancers on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

As the Director of the Women's Cancer Research Institute, Dr. Karlan testified before a U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human resources in September of 2005.

During her testimony, Dr. Karlan emphasized the importance of early education and prevention, as well as effective screening as a strategy to save the lives of women. She stated "Without fact-based information, many women are unable to ask the right questions of their physicians- questions that can save their lives."

These figures dovetail with a recent national poll of women in the United States that found that a
majority — 54% believe they are at personal risk for developing a gynecologic cancer, yet 58% are unaware of any factors that can lower their risk and 47% could not name any symptoms of gynecologic cancers.

The poll, which was commissioned by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and Research!America, involved telephone interviews with 800 women regarding their understanding of and concerns about female reproductive cancers, or gynecologic cancers, including cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers.

Other findings include:

· Nearly half (46%) of women polled were not aware of any of the risk factors for developing a gynecologic cancer.

· One in five (19%) could not name any test for female reproductive cancers, and only 3% mentioned a pelvic exam, which is recommended annually for women over the age of 18.

· Of those who could name risk factors, 20% cited genetics or family history, and 11% mentioned exposure to certain viruses/STDs or having multiple sex partners.

· Of those who could name ways to lower risk, 13% said regular check-ups/Pap tests, and 12% said a healthy lifestyle/diet.

· Half (51%) of women said that, aside from their doctor, the Internet is where they would turn for information about reproductive cancers.

Complete poll findings are available at www.thegcf.org and www.researchamerica.org.

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation cautions women to take proactive steps in safeguarding their health against cancer including the following:

· Get to know your family history
· Conduct an online risk assessment (visit www.wcn.org)
· Ask questions and educate yourself about gynecologic cancers, and
· Make an appointment for your annual gynecologic exam and be screened.

GCF provides additional information about gynecologic cancers through the Women’s Cancer Network at www.wcn.org.