HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-02-2001-5dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 2, 2001
Aetion Agentla
Item No. S-d
SUBJECT: Breast Ganwr Awareness Month
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights antl Relatlons PUBLIC HEARING: )7/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
PmGamatlon Annette M. Moore, 245-2250, e# 2254
Commission For Women
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 132-8181
Chapel Hill 968-0501
Durham 888-1331
Mebane 336-221-2031
PURPOSE: To proclaim the month of October as Breast GancerAweraneee Monlh, and
October 19'" as National Mammography Oay.
BACKGROUND: October metlca the 16'" Annivemary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Since 1985, nationally mammogrephy rotes have mare than doubletl for women age 50 antl
oltler antl breast cancer tleaths have tleclinetl by 1.8 percent each year since 1992. While the
progress has been steady, there are still many women who do not take atlvan[age of eatly
tletection at all and others who do not get screening mammogrems antl clinical breast exams et
regular intervals. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is tletlicated to increasing [he public
knowledge of the impoi+ance of eatly tletection of breast cancer antl the use of mammogmphy.
Mammography fscilities arountl the country and in Orange County will offer retlucetl-fee
screenings on the 19" aw throughout the month of October.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommentls that the BoaN atlopt the proclamation
antl authorize the Chair to sign it.
z
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Proclamation
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Mammography Day
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrating its sateenth year of etluceting women
about the Importance of eery detection for breea[cencer. During thla time, mammography use
has increased substantially and breast cancer death rotes have tleclined. Still, many women tlc
not utilize mammography at regular intervals.
• Bresat canceristhe mostmmmonly diagnosed cancerand the secontl leatling causebf
cancer tleaths among wcmen in [he United States; antl
Approxlme[e1y 5,500 NOdh Carolina women will be tllegnosetl wl[h breast cancer and
approximately 1,100 North Carolina women will the from the tlisease in 2001; antl
•. Women age 65 end olCer ere less likely tc get mammogrems then younger women,even
thcugh breast cancer risk increase with age; and
• Hispanic women have fewer mammogreme (58 peroent)then Caucaelan women (6a
percent) end African American yromen (88 percenq; and
• Women below the poverty level are less likely than women at higher inwmes to have
had s mammogram within the pest two years; and
Mammography use inceasetl between 1989 antl 199] for all groups except American
Intliens end Alaskan Natives.
In recognition of the fact that mammogrephy is the single most affeaNe method of detecting
breast changes Mat may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt, and
that breast cancer deaths could decline further if all women age 40 and oltler received
mammograms at regular Intervals; end
In recognition that "The Pink Ribbon" is the internationally remgnlzetl symbol of breast center
and that the Gwemor hoe designated October B-14, 2001 as'Pink Ribbon Week".
We the Orange County eoaN of Count' Commissioners, tlo hereby pmdaim October 2001 as
Breast Cancer Awareness Month antl October l9"as National Mammdgrephy Day. We urge
Orange County resitlents to wear pink ribbons in recognition of breast cancer awareness and in
hcnor of women who have lost their INee to hreest cancer, antl to those women who are now
courageously fighting the battle with breast cancer Wefurther encourage women to consult
with their health care provitler about regular screening antl b promote early detection of breast
cancer by having. regular clinical breast examinations, getting regular mammograms, antl
practicing monthly breast aeH-examination.
This [he 2n° day of October, 2001.
Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair
Orenge County Board of Commissioners