Title
Proclamation Designating October 2026, as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Los Alamos County" (Accepted by Nancy Partridge)
Body
WHEREAS, Breast cancer incidence rates have been increasing in women under 50 with about 85% of breast cancers occurring in women with no family history; and
WHEREAS, this year in the United States there will be nearly 322,000 new cases of breast cancer among women and 2,700 in men; and
WHEREAS, advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years; and
WHEREAS, funding for research, public education about symptoms, insurance coverage for diagnostic testing, early detection, and affordable treatments are key to fighting breast cancer, while lack of healthcare workers in rural areas of New Mexico is a major obstacle to survival; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico has one of the lowest cancer screening rates in the nation, leading to cancer being the second leading cause of death among New Mexicans and a below-average 64.4% five-year survival rate.
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim October 2026 as
“BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN LOS ALAMOS COUNTY”
and I encourage everyone to learn about the causes and risk factors of breast cancer, how to screen for breast cancer effectively and notice the early warning signs, and how effective treatment is administered.
DATED this 29th day of September 2026.