SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Medical Group recently commemorated Women's History Month with its seventh annual Women's Health Fair.

Approximately 225 women attended the fair, which was developed to educate women about preventive health and parenting support services.

At the fair women received information about cancer, child safety, relaxation therapy, healthy lifestyles, and dental care, as well as insurance and educational opportunities for themselves and their families from Shaw and the local community, said Elaine Hood, Women's Health Fair co-coordinator. Some women even received free massages along with information about the benefits of massage therapy and how it reduces strain and stress.

For preventive health services, the fair offered height, weight and blood pressure checks, as well as cholesterol and glucose screenings.

Screening assists in the early detection of disease, said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Campbell, 20th Medical Group Health Care integrator. If disease and illness are discovered before symptoms appear, then cure rates improve dramatically.

"One example is heart disease," she said. "When we identify a patient with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we can actually prevent heart attacks using life-style changes and medication. If a person waits until they have chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms of heart disease, more invasive, dangerous and life-changing intervention may be required."