Keynote  speakers, participants and planning committee members during the Guam Health Providers Cancer Symposium, on June 25 at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

The University of Guam Cancer Research Center hosted its first Guam Health Providers Cancer Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Guam on June 25. 

The symposium focused on the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer screening guidelines, and the disease’s progress on Guam. A total of 86 health providers participated in the symposium titled “YOU are the Key to Cancer Prevention.” 

Medical professionals gave presentations, such as Dr. Rachael Consoli from the FHP Health Center. She discussed the current guidelines on cervical cancer screening and used her international experiences as an OB-GYN to emphasize the importance of life-saving cancer screenings. 

Local physician Dr. Amanda del Rosario talked about cervical cancer prevention and other HPV related infections and cancers. She explained how HPV vaccine works, what the recent dosage recommendations are, and how health providers could best communicate the vaccine’s importance to their patients.

UOG faculty involved in the Cancer research grants at the University also touched on their areas of expertise. Associate Professor of Health Sciences Dr. Yvette Paulino talked about Guam’s statistics on cervical cancer, the low rates of screening, and the HPV vaccination rate. Professor of Communication Dr. Lilnabeth Somera and Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Ana Joy Mendez spoke about the influence of cultural factors in the development of health communication campaigns for cancer screening and prevention. 
 
The symposium for Guam’s health providers is a collaborative effort of the University of Guam Cancer Research Center, American Cancer Society, Department of Public Health Social Services Guam Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, Guam Medical Society, Guam Nursing Association, Guam Cancer Care, Guam Regional Medical City, American Medical Center, FHP Health Center, and the Non Communicable Disease Consortium.