UT Health San Antonio is initiating a monthly group for women with gynecologic cancers. The meetings will be held 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning April 19. The group will meet at the Medical Arts & Research Center, 8300 Floyd Curl Dr., in Conference Room B on the first floor.
Gynecologic cancers are found in women’s reproductive systems and include cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 71,500 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers each year and about 26,500 die for them.
Called Purple Heals (purple is the ribbon color for gynecologic cancers), the group occasionally will have guest speakers, but will function primarily as a gathering in which women can discuss the issues they are experiencing as they receive treatment or become survivors of gynecologic cancers.
“Because these cancers involve the reproductive system, some women feel uncomfortable speaking openly about their diagnosis. For this reason, they may feel isolated as they undergo treatment and do not have the support they need for this journey. We hope to change that with this group,” said Georgia McCann, M.D., a UT Health gynecologic oncologist who is leading Purple Heals.
Light refreshments will be served at the meetings and parking is free.
For more information, visit uthealthcare.org/purple, or call (210) 450-9500.