Women unite for cancer's big night in

The Cancer Council is linking up with South West health organisations as it focuses on women's health this month, which it is calling Pink October.

The South West Women's Health and Information Centre and the South West Aboriginal Medical Service have joined the Cancer Council for the Girls' Night In event at Dot's Place on October 13.

The event is one of several this month promoting positive lifestyle choices by women to reduce their risk of cancer - including getting checked out by a doctor if they notice changes in their bodies.

The Cancer Council is holding a Breast Cancer Resource Day in conjunction with the McGrath Foundation at Dot's Place today, while Rando and Associates is holding a Women's Health and Wellness Day on October 16 to support the council.

Cancer Council South West regional education officer Dianne Pope there would be a focus on breast and gynaecological cancers during the month.

"Women need to know that the sooner you find something is wrong, the sooner you can get treatment - which leads to better success rates," she said.

"We want women to have a pap smear every two years from the age of 18, or one or two years after first becoming sexually active, because it can detect early changes in the cervix and cancer can be treated early. I think the main point is that women know their bodies better than anyone else and if they find something wrong, then they should get it checked out."

Ms Pope said it was important for women to make positive lifestyle choices including limiting their intake of alcohol to decrease the risks of cancer. She said while the Girls' Night In event would present some serious health messages, it was also a chance for fun, with a clothes swap, photo booth, raffles and face-painting.

South West Women's Health and Information Centre health educator Anne Mackay said her organisation wanted to get involved in the event because the groups were promoting similar messages.

"We believe in the importance of looking after yourself and getting health checks because it can help solve health problems," she said.