October 2023: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, while considerable progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer, it remains the most common newly diagnosed cancer and second-leading cause of cancer deaths among Michigan women; and,

WHEREAS, in 2021, 14.0 percent of deaths from cancer among Michigan women were due to breast cancer, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); and,

WHEREAS, in Michigan, more than 8,900 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2023, and more than 1,370 people will die of the disease; and,  

WHEREAS, certain factors put some women at a higher risk than others, including age, personal or family history of breast cancer, specific genetic mutations, dense breast tissue, starting menstruation at a young age, never giving birth or having first pregnancy after age 30; and, 

WHEREAS, breast cancer mortality is nearly 40 percent higher for Black women than white women, and Black women are often diagnosed at later stages when treatments are limited and costly, and the prognosis is poor; and,

WHEREAS, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic/Latina women; and,

WHEREAS, through research and advocacy, advances have been made in the fight against breast cancer including an increased rate of early detection and a 99 percent five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer; and,

WHEREAS, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness about this disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately finding a cure; and,

WHEREAS, during this month, we should reaffirm our commitment to supporting breast cancer research and to educating all citizens about its risk factors, detection, and treatment, as well as the importance of regular screenings, as early detection increases the effectiveness of available treatments; and,

WHEREAS, as we display pink ribbons and wear pink clothing to raise awareness, we also recognize more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors, those currently battling the disease, and their families and friends who are a tireless source of love and encouragement. We commend the efforts of our medical professionals and researchers working to find a cure for this deadly disease, and we honor the lives lost to breast cancer;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan.