Keeping Your Health in Check

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Keeping Your Health in Check

By Syreeta Baker

The U.S Department of Human Services reports minority women continue to fare worse than white women when it comes to their health.

Thursday OSF Saint Francis Medical Center hosted a free health fair to address the breasts health concerns of minorities.

47–year–old Linda Love is at Peoria's Dream Center receiving a free breast examination.

But for the Grandmother of 10, checking her breast has always been a priority in her life.

"I check them every month and everything in the shower and I haven't had any problem yet so I've been pressed," said Linda Love.

A grant from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Peoria Memorial, allowed the hospital to share valuable information to health fair attendees like 26–year–old Angel Wilson.

"I never knew you should check your breasts once a month I just learned how to do it here and how many times you should do it," said Angel Wilson.

The main purpose of this health fair is to make sure women of color have a better knowledge of their health status, specifically when it comes to their breasts.

"We're trying to reach out to them.
Tell them how to get mammograms how to do breast self–exams.
It's so important to do a monthly breast self–exam because early detection is the best cure for breast cancer," said registered nurse Camilla Rabjohns.

Some nurses say if your not confident in your self–examination skills, there are ways to make sure your breasts are in good health.

"I always tell my clients to try to get their breasts exam from their physician six months between the time they have their mammogram so every six months a professional is checking your breasts," said Rabjohns.

Organizers of the fair say they plan on having another free health fair for the public on February 7th at Grace Hope International Church in Peoria.

The health fair also provided attendees with diabetes and nutritional education along with free blood pressure and bone density checks.

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