Breast Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, a woman receives a diagnoses of breast cancer every two minutes in the United States, and every 13 minutes a woman in America dies of breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, breast cancer affects both women and men; an estimated 2,190 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States in 2012; an estimated 226,870 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States in 2012; and

WHEREAS, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women and can be attributed to many factors, including age, genetics, obesity and family history; it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, women who exercise regularly, maintain healthy diets and have yearly visits with their doctors are less likely to get breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, early detection allows for early intervention, helps make treatment more effective, gives hope to patients and saves lives; and

WHEREAS, various screening measures such as mammograms, regular breast self-exams and clinical breast exams can help detect cancer before it has a chance to spread; and

WHEREAS, mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million women in the United States 40 years of age and older have never had a mammogram; and

WHEREAS, the 2.9 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today are a testament to the importance of promoting awareness about breast cancer, funding research and offering the best treatment to those affected; and

WHEREAS, throughout the month of October, we honor those who are currently battling breast cancer, those who have survived breast cancer and those who have lost the fight to breast cancer:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2012 as

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 11th day of October 2012.

 

      

Robert Bentley, Governor