First ladies discuss cervical cancer

First ladies of churches in Gainesville and surrounding areas gathered to discuss the well-being of the health of women in their congregations.

The discussion was hosted by the University of Florida Health Cancer Center and  Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) Steering Committee. Billed as the Leading Ladies Brunch, the event was held Saturday at Open Door Ministries located at 601 NE 19th St. to inspire first ladies of churches in the area to encourage female parishioners to get screened more for cervical cancer.

"This is an opportunity to use our voice and the authority God has given us within the church to communicate to our members to let them know the importance of taking care of our bodies," said Pastor LaShon Young, president of the Women in Ministry Network.

Young was invited to help with getting the word out to women about the importance of scheduling and attending more doctors' appointments to be screened for illnesses that can become terminal, said Tarcha Rentz, Ph.D.,a member of the Cervical Circle community and one of the leading organizers of the brunch.

"First ladies need to be a part of this conversation and talk about a serious thing," Rentz said. "Theses discussions can help the community to stop women from dying from a preventable disease."

The event began with the singing of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, which was sung by P.K. Yonge Labratory School student SoUnique High.

The food was provided by Upper Room Soulfood.

The event featured remarks by Dr. Sarah Szurek, program director of UF Health Cancer Center and Community Outreach; Pastor Gerard Duncan of Prayers by Faith Ministries; activist Chanae Jackson; cervical cancer survivor Shereka Nicole; Cervical Circle ambassador Kandra Albury and Dr. Grant Harrell of the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic.

The church needs to remove the stigma of being diagnosed with cancer from their communities, Jackson said.

"Black women who fear being stigmatized, refuse to tell others about what's going on," Jackson said. "Cervical cancer is not a death sentence. People around us need to be of good influence to help us get screened."

Nicole shared her testimony about how she overcame cervical cancer when she received her diagnosis.

"You must activate faith with works," Nicole said. "Don't let fear rob you of your joy."

She said women must stay positive even when medical professionals talk about negative outcomes.

A doctor told her she would not be able to have children, which turned out to not be true because she is now the mother of two children, Nicole said.

"I cried all day about the news of cervical cancer and the ability to not have kids," Nicole said. "Thankfully, the doctors were able to catch it early and gave me medicine that killed the cancerous cells."

Albury discussed initiatives to encourage more screenings like a "Pap after Praise" event to have women in the church receive pap smears.

Rentz said women should take care of themselves physically just as they do spiritually.

"We have to be able to take care of our temples," Rentz said. "If the man is the head of the home, then the women are the neck. If we're going to save this generation, we must be candid and open about our health."

Harrell said it is important to find a doctor who cares about your well-being and has your best interest at heart.

"I went into medical education to help those who need it," Harrell said. "We give care to the uninsured and give care to anyone who shows up. Nothing makes me happier than screening and prevention."

The UF Mobile Outreach Clinic can be reached at 352-273-5329 or via email at mobileclinic@health.ufl.edu.

To contact the UF Health Cancer and Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, email COE@cancer.ufl.edu.