Whereas, Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Michigan women, with 1,350 women expected to die in 2004, and 7,270 new cases expected; and,

Whereas, African Americans are 42.9 percent more likely than Caucasians to die from breast cancer, partly due to a later stage of diagnosis; and,

Whereas, Early detection is the key to survival; with regular screening, breast cancer is more likely to be detected at an earlier stage when it is most treatable; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Cancer Consortium recommends annual breast cancer screening, including a clinical breast exam and mammogram for women of average risk starting at age 40; and,

Whereas, Although every women is at risk of developing breast cancer, several factors including age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, never giving birth or having a first child after the age 30, and long menstrual history have been shown to increase a women’s risk; and,

Whereas, Michigan public health agencies, health care providers and hospitals statewide who work with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program cooperated to offer breast cancer screening and follow-up services for low-income women age 40-64, and as a result, have screened more than 92,000 women, and have diagnosed and treated more than 1,400 women with breast cancer since 1991, while also offering all women a resource for information and referral through the Michigan Health Promotion Hotline at 1-800-922-6266; and,

Whereas, Education can help inform the public of methods of early detection and prevention, such as efforts underway by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the Michigan Cancer Consortium and its members and the state of Michigan; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2004, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan and I urge all citizens to learn more about this disease, to recognize the importance of breast cancer screenings, and to assist the women they care about to seek regular breast cancer screening.