The Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program will host a cervical cancer symposium this Saturday aimed at heightening public awareness.

Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said Wednesday that the Department decided to hold the cervical cancer symposium following the success of a breast cancer symposium on St. Croix last October. 

“This symposium, like the first, is aimed at enhancing cervical cancer awareness in the territory as well as to provide continuing education on cervical cancer for healthcare professionals,” Sheen said. “We also look forward to seeing ordinary residents and healthcare professionals in attendance to learn more about the services that the Department is bringing back to the community through its Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.”

Doctors Edith Ramsay-John, Martin Dukes, and Samuel Hughes will join Ms. Carlene Kehoe as panelists at this month’s daylong symposium. The symposium, entitled “Fact vs. Myth”, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute’s Bennie and Martha Benjamin Auditorium on St. Thomas. 

Interested residents can pre-register for the symposium by calling 773-1311, Ext. 3158 or 3178. There will also be on-site registration beginning at 9 a.m. on January 30, 2010.

For more information on the symposium, call (340) 773-1311, Ext. 3178.