AUBURN - At a time of year when health concerns are often at their peak, health professionals in the area reached out to the community Saturday to offer some preventive care education.

Sponsored by the Auburn Memorial Hospital and The Citizen, the first annual Cayuga County Health Fair was held Saturday at the Holiday Inn in Auburn.

Area health professionals as well as local community health programs were on hand to promote preventive education and provide accessible health screening.

Carla Weeks, of the Cayuga County Healthy Men and Women Partnership, advised participants of the many outreach programs available to raise awareness about breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancers. Their programs are free to income eligible participants.

"Regular screening can detect cancer in its earliest stages," Weeks said. "If detected early enough, these types of cancer can be treated."

Weeks recommends that a man be tested for colon cancer at the age of 50, and women be tested for breast and cervical cancer at the age of 40.

Dr. Mukesh Sharma, of Cardiovascular Consultant of Auburn P.C., played video showing a healthy heart versus one with heart disease. He also offered blood pressure checks.

One participant, Helen Mosher of Auburn, who has a history of high blood pressure and respiratory problems, had her blood pressure checked by Marsha Chalupnicki, medical assistant to Sharma.

"I was on a heart monitor this past week," the 75-year-old Mosher said. "I have a few kinks but I take very good care of my body. Prayer plays a big part of it."

The Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency advised parents of the New York State Child Passenger Restraint Law, which will take effect on March 27. The new law requires that children under the age of 7 be restrained in an approved child safety seat.

The agency offers programs to educate parents on the correct way to install a safety seat and it offers services to give seats to income eligible parents.

The Auburn Police Department was also on hand to advise parents of the new law, as well as provide fingerprinting and child I.D. cards.

"We started the child I.D. cards last year," Sgt. David Buckingham said. "They are very helpful to us if a child becomes missing."

The APD also has its own child safety restraint seat program called "Child Passenger Safety Checkpoint."

"At least twice a year we will set up at local grocery stores or even physicians offices and provide safety seat checks," officer Jim Slayton said. "We teach parents the proper way to install these safety seats. If a seat has been recalled or is out of date, we will install a brand-new seat for them."

Because the installation usually takes about 40 minutes, the department provides coloring books and refreshments to help keep the children occupied.

The officers must attend a 40-hour training school. "Right now we have two officers who have attended the training school, but we will be sending more," Slayton said.