FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Candice Chung, (916) 319-3216
Lena Kennedy, (626) 577-9944
October 7, 2005
PASADENA, CA. – Assemblymember Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge) hosted her fifth annual Cancer Awareness and Legislative Update Breakfast on Friday, October 07, 2005 at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel. The event provided the latest information on prevention, detection and cure of gender-related cancers, as well as healthy living, diet and emotional well being.
Los Angeles County has the highest rate of cervical cancer cases in the U.S., with the incidence for Latina women triple that of the national average. When it comes to women’s health, this startling statistic places Los Angeles at the level of a third world country.
“Cancer is a scourge among all women, but the cure rate is lower among women of color--particularly African American and Hispanic--who, for whatever reason, do not undergo screening for early detection of the disease,” said Assemblymember Liu, who also chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “We need to reach out to women and let them know about risk factors and the detection, treatment and cure of the various gender-related cancers. Science and technology have helped us to detect cancer sooner and provide better treatment. We can beat cancer, but early detection is still the key.”
The event is being hosted by Assemblymember Liu in partnership with local community and health organizations including the American Cancer Society, City of Hope, City of Pasadena Health Department, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and The Wellness Community. The event is sponsored by Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Kaiser Permanente, SBC Communications, the City of Pasadena, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Metropolitan Water District, Castle Press, Southern California Edison and Novartis.
“I am committed to the fight against cancer,” Assemblymember Liu added. “One way I can help is to assure that as many women as possible have the best information available to help them detect the disease early enough to receive successful treatment.”
For further information, contact Lena L. Kennedy at Assemblymember Liu’s District Office (626) 577-9944 or e-mail: lena.kennedy@asm.ca.gov.
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