September 23, 2026
WHEREAS, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) is a leading national nonprofit for people with or at risk of hereditary cancer, providing trusted information, support and advocacy. The majority of FORCE constituents carry an inherited genetic mutation that significantly increases their risk of cancers, including breast, colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic and gastric cancers, and,
WHEREAS, approximately 10 percent of all cancers are due to an inherited genetic predisposition, and,
WHEREAS, millions of Americans are at increased risk of cancer due to an inherited genetic mutation, and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 480,000 Michiganders carry an inherited genetic mutation that increases their risk of hereditary cancers, and,
WHEREAS, 90 percent of people are unaware of their increased risk for hereditary cancer and may carry one of dozens of inherited cancer-related genetic mutations, including BRCA, Lynch Syndrome and other genetic mutations, and,
WHEREAS, an affected parent has a 50 percent chance of passing a gene mutation to their offspring, which creates an increased risk of certain cancers, and,
WHEREAS, identification of hereditary cancer risk enables individuals and families to pursue evidence-based screening, prevention, and treatment strategies that can reduce cancer incidence, improve outcomes, and save lives, and,
WHEREAS, expanded awareness of hereditary cancer risk supports Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services CDC grant objectives by promoting prevention, early detection and informed healthcare decision-making, and,
WHEREAS, Hereditary Cancer Awareness Week and National Previvor Day are an opportunity to recognize and honor those affected by hereditary cancer, including women and men, anyone with a family history of cancer, hereditary cancer survivors, previvors (individuals living with a high risk of cancer but have not developed the disease) and the esteemed healthcare professionals who treat this population;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 23–October 3, 2026, as Hereditary Cancer Awareness Week.
