Teal transformation coming to raise cancer awareness

Homewood is going teal this month. The spire of Homewood City Hall and the right side of the new community center will be lit in the color to raise awareness about gynecological cancer.

Mayor Scott McBrayer declared September as Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month in Homewood at an Aug. 11 city council meeting.

Homewood resident and nine-year ovarian cancer survivor Cheryl Bourn addressed the council about the importance of preventing and detecting the cancer at the meeting, a message that she will also share at a State of Teal ceremony on Sept. 2 at Regions Field.

“It is our hope that citizens in Homewood will be curious why such a proclamation is needed,” Bourn said. “Alabama is one of two states with the highest rates of death from ovarian and cervical cancer, and increased awareness may result in earlier diagnosis and lower death rates.”

Bourn explained that there is no early screen test for ovarian cancer and Pap smears do not detect it, so it’s important for women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the cancer. She also noted that HPV vaccinations for younger women can help prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer in the future.