Women encouraged to seek healthy advice at forum

A South West health organisation is encouraging women to attend a session about gynaecological health next week.

The South West Women’s Health and Information Centre will hold the talk at the Backbeach Cafe and Restaurant on Monday.

Health educator Anne Mackay said the aim was to continue to promote good health choices.

“We try to hold health promotions once per month and our focus at the moment is on gynaecological health,” she said.

“We want women to be aware of their bodies and look for the signs that something might be wrong.

“It’s important to pick up those early warning signs because you can then get treated earlier.”

Mrs Mackay said cancer survivor Kath Mazzella, from Perth, would be the guest speaker.

“She’ll share her story and she is such an inspirational person, she doesn’t want any other woman to go through what she went through,” Mrs Mackay said.

“She talks about that if she knew what she knows right now, she wouldn’t have had to go through the ordeal.

“We’ll have Dianne Pope from the Cancer Council presenting and I’ll also be talking on the day about health awareness, looking for the early warning signs and the role of the centre.”

Mrs Mackay said she was hoping about 80 women would attend.

“Even though the centre has been around for 20 years, some don’t know about it,” she said.

“We provide a holistic model of health, with free education, a counsellor, STI checks and life coaching.”