The attendance at today’s second annual “Smart Women: Discussions on Women’s Cancer Prevention” event could be double what it was a year ago, a campus official said.

“Last year we had about 75 to 100 people attend, and this year we already have close to 150 people registered,” said Dr. Suzy Lockwood, director of the university’s Oncology Education and Research Center and event chair.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and the university is responding by holding the event at 6 p.m. in the Kelly Alumni Center.

Presenters at the event will inform those in attendance about ways to ward off the disease.

Presentations at the event will include “Cancer Prevention and Genetics: What Every Woman Needs to Know” with genetic counselor Sara Pirzadeh and “Getting the Intimacy You Want in Your Relationship” with psychotherapist Mary Jo Rapini.

The Center for Oncology Education and Research and local nonprofit treatment center Moncrief Cancer Resources teamed up to hold the event.

“Women often times don’t really understand or are not aware of some of the ways that they can prevent cancer,” Lockwood said.

Learning about cancer prevention and detection is often ignored by women, Lockwood said. The event is about helping women get the necessary information ahead of time, she said.

Andrea Gouldy, a junior education major, said she thinks the event is important because it will educate women about their risks.

“I would definitely be interested in learning more about what makes me more susceptible to cancer,” Gouldy said.

This event is the second “Smart Women” event. Last year featured different topics, still related to cancer in women.

“The expectation is that this will be an annual event, and each year it will have a different focus but somehow or another related to cancer prevention and cancer awareness for women,” Lockwood said.

Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event will bring in awareness of breast cancer as well as gynecologic cancer, Lockwood said.

Admission to the event, which is geared toward women, is free. Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine is providing complimentary hors d’ouevres to those in attendance.

Registration for the event begins at 5:30 p.m. Guests must RSVP in advance to [email protected] or (817) 257-6731.

“Smart Women: Discussions on Women’s Cancer Prevention”

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Kelly Alumni Center

Cost: Free for students