Ladies from all over the community dressed in red to honour the Cayman Islands Cancer Society's initiative to raise awareness about heart disease in women at the Red Dress Luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton on 14 June.

Cardiologist Dr Edwards Peron of Baptist Healthcare Systems said that heart disease is the number one cause of death in women throughout the world. And although the statistics he presented were from the US - the demographics are still relevant to women in this country.

"One in three women will die of heart disease," said Dr Peron. "But one in 30 women die of breast cancer. Most women are much more likely to die from heart disease then any other disease."

Dr Peron explained that although there are dramatic treatments to treat heart attacks there is no cure for heart disease. Therefore the emphasis is on preventing heart disease.

He said there are a number of lifestyle choices that women can do to reduce the risk of having heart disease such as stop smoking, exercise 30 minutes a day and getting weight to Body Mass Index to 25 or lower. Eating a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruit and vegetable and moderate alcohol also reduces risk of heart disease.

The luncheon included a heart healthy meal, silent auction, health screenings and a fashion show.

This is the third year the Cancer Society has hosted the Red Dress Affair, which have always taken place in the evening but this is the first year the Red Dress Affair included a day-time lunch event.

According to Dr Peron, the Red Dress Affair is a programme that was initiated by the National Institute of Health in the US in 2002. He said the Cayman Islands is the first country in the Caribbean to adopt the Red Dress Affair programme in an effort to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

shurna@caymannetnews.com