By Staff Reports
(Maui) – Kaiser Permanente Hawaii today welcomed Maui residents to a Women’s Health Fair at Wailuku Medical Office. The inaugural health and wellness event invited Kaiser Permanente members to take part in preventive screenings for skin and breast cancer. Other health-related activities, including Healing Touch sessions and tobacco cessation tips, were available to all attendees.
Providers checked for evidence of melanoma and other skin cancers, a significant concern in Hawaii, where residents enjoy the sun year-round, in many cases without the proper sun protection. Kaiser Permanente members were also encouraged to complete mammograms to check for early evidence of breast cancer.
“Many types of cancers have significantly higher survival rates when found in early stages, which is why preventive screenings are so crucial,” said Heather Wiest, Kaiser Permanente’s health education coordinator on Maui. “We encourage all Maui residents to take control of their health and take advantage of screening services, because early detection saves lives.”
Staff members were available during the event to share tips on how to quit smoking and end tobacco use. Kaiser Permanente nurses were on hand to provide flu shots to members. Prevention and education staff members offered grip strength and body fat testing, as well as tips on improving nutrition, emotional wellness, and living an overall healthy lifestyle.
Many patients required follow-up consultation and testing, so the number of cancers found as a result of the event will not be known until all lab results are processed. A similar screening event at Kaiser Permanente’s Waipio Medical Office on Oahu earlier this year resulted in 246 screenings for skin, head and neck, cervical, colon and breast cancers (see table below):
*Follow-up examination for abnormal results returned three skin cancer diagnoses.
About Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years, with physicians who are members of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty physician group practice in the state of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information. Become a fan of good health with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii: Like our page at Facebook.com/KPHawaii and follow @KPHawaii on Twitter.