JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

The Katie Oppo Research Fund is hosting a Women’s Health Forum at the Great Neck EOC Gym on Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. Northwell Health Physicians will discuss visiting the gynecologist/OBGYN, STDs, risks of reproductive cancers and other general health topics for women.

The Katie Oppo Research Fund began in 2011, after Katie Oppo passed away due to Stage IV Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary. Katie was born on June 19, 1991 and graduated from Manhasset High School in 2009. Katie attended John Hopkins University where she was focusing on her pre-med requirements in preparation to become a physician. During her sophomore year at college, Katie was diagnosed with Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary.

While at Hopkins, Katie was a Northwell Health volunteer, working in an ER group and doing volunteer work for medical outreach to disadvantaged communities.

“She was incredibly passionate about wanting to help others and becoming a doctor,” shared Elizabeth Oppo, Director at the Katie Oppo Research Fund. “Katie was remarkable in many ways, but she was particularly remarkable in being very empowering with her team of female friends.”

Katie’s friends and family rallied and created the Katie Oppo Research Fund to raise awareness and money to fund research for the prevention, treatment and cure for all forms of ovarian cancer.

“They were never gonna give up her passion, and they continued it. It’s been team Katie ever since,” said Elizabeth.

Since the non-profit was formed in 2011, they have hosted Annual 5K Memorial Runs and Dinner Galas to raise money for the research fund. All proceeds go directly to the research fund and are granted to cancer research institutions and individual researchers.

“We find who researchers that are working on immunotherapy or potential prevention, or any diagnostic tools that would help us in this dire fight,” said Elizabeth.

In an effort to raise awareness, the research fund began hosting Women’s Health Forums. While the first forums were hosted at the Manhasset Public Library, the organization decided to host one in Great Neck to spread awareness and reach different communities. The first two forums were geared toward young women in high school and college. The forum on Wednesday, May 17, is for women of all ages, especially mothers and daughters.

“Ovarian cancer does not have any form for earlier detection right now,” said Elizabeth. “So, this is what we’re fighting for, is to have young women be empowered to take their reproductive health seriously when they’re young. It’s really about your overall gynecological health. Because there are so many ways to protect ourselves that young women and their mothers are just really not aware of.”

The Women’s Health Forum panel is made up of two Northwell Health physicians giving a detailed presentation on topics such as vaccines and safe sex.

“One is on the clinical side. So she focuses on gynecological oncology, she’s seeing the people with cancers. And then we have someone who’s in practice who is doing regular gynecological visits,” said Elizabeth. “To have these two women who have different perspectives on vaccines and prevention, etcetera, it’s pretty wonderful.”

The two physicians will provide knowledge and perspectives for women of all ages to consider when thinking of their health. In addition to gynecological, STD, and reproductive cancer, the physicians will touch on general health topics such as nutrition, exercise, and mental health.

“Our first step is awareness of these reproductive health issues. And then the next step is keeping us healthy so that we don’t get things that can cause cancer later on. There are many forms of STDs that can cause cancer later on,” said Elizabeth. “We’re gonna be tackling some issues and questions that are difficult to talk about, but it’s very necessary that we talk about them.”

Discussing health and STD’s with young adults can often be uncomfortable for parents, leading to insufficient education on important topics. Elizabeth and the Katie Oppo Research Fund are trying to get to younger women before they go out into the world.

“After high school, [young women] are going to college or joining the workforce. That’s our target group because that’s when problems really start to arise,” said Elizabeth. “We’re really trying to raise awareness that whatever we do or don’t do is unquestionably going to affect our health later on.”

After the panelists present, there is a question and answer portion for the attendees where they can ask questions aloud or write an anonymous question.

The previous Women’s Health Forums for young women were well attended and the Katie Oppo Research Foundation hopes that opening their forums to women of all ages can open up the conversation of health between mothers and daughters.

The event is free for all women to join and will be hosted at the EOC Gym in Great Neck st 65 High St. Visit teamkatieoppo.org to learn more about the Katie Oppo Research Fund.

Northwell Health Physicians will discuss:

Visiting your Gynecologist/OBGYN

When should young women have their first gyn appointment?

What should the patient expect (internal exam)?

How does a patient choose birth control that is right for them?

Is the HPV vaccine recommended for young women?

STDs/HPV vaccines

Should older, sexually active women get the HPV vaccines?

What other causes are there for cervical cancer besides HPV?

Do the vaccines protect against all strains

What sexual practices can increase your risk of getting an STD?

What STDs can cause cancer?

Can you get throat cancer from oral sex if a partner is HPV positive?

What sexual practices are linked to increased cancer risk?

Risks of Reproductive Cancers

Are screening techniques being developed for ovarian cancer detection? Does using birth control reduce risk for oc?

Why does pregnancy also reduce risk of ovarian cancer?

Does using fertility drugs increase risk of ovarian cancer?

Is baseline sono of a young women’s ovaries a good idea for prevention of ovarian cancer?

Is in depth sonography better for your body than mammography?

How is talcum powder linked to ovarian cancer?

What other risk factors are there?

Does having children later in life raise a woman’s risk of reproductive cancers? Does using hormone replacement therapy after menopause increase risk of ovarian cancer?

Does using birth control affect your chances of getting breast cancer?

General

How do nutrition, diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices affect your health?

Is it true that a woman’s peri- and menopausal symptoms may mirror their mother’s?

What is the latest on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms?

Young women are suffering from a mental health crisis: Are the causes social media and how do we address them? What services are offered.

The Women’s Health Forum is free to women of all ages. Visit the EOC Gym in Great Neck (65 High St.) on Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. to take part in the forum.