Governor Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Press Release

Governor Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Governor John E. Baldacci today joined Maine's First Lady Karen Baldacci and other advocates to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event at the Blaine House marks the 22nd Anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been celebrated in Maine since 1985.

"During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all year long, health care professionals, educators and others continue to educate all women about guidelines for prevention and early detection of the disease," said Governor Baldacci.

Every three minutes a woman in the United States learns that she has breast cancer. The disease will affect 1 in 8 women in the U.S. during their lifetimes.

Due to research breakthroughs and early detection, breast cancer mortality rates continue to show a slow, steady drop. Between 1990 and 2003, age-adjusted breast cancer mortality in Maine women declined 17.3 percent. A breast cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.

Governor Baldacci said, "Maine's on the right track, and a lot of credit goes to the partners present here today and the many other partners helping across all our Maine communities. The promotion of policies that increase access, quality and affordability of health care makes a difference in detecting and treating cancer."

The Governor encouraged continued support for patients and for the lifesaving research being conducted on breast cancer, some of which is taking place at Maine research institutions such as The Jackson Laboratory.

Question 2 on the Nov. 6, 2007, statewide ballot calls for issuing $50 million in research, development and commercialization bonds for targeted technology sectors. The competitive process for allocation of funds would be administered by the Maine Technology Institute. Eligible expenditures could include biomedical research projects.

The text of the proclamation for October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month follows.

WHEREAS, every three minutes a woman in the United States learns that she has breast cancer - a serious disease that will affect 1 in 8 women in the U.S. over their lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, 980 Maine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 190 will die from the disease; and

WHEREAS, early detection through regular screenings could spare as many as one-third of those lives; and

WHEREAS, only 81.3% of women 40 and older in our state are getting screening mammograms in accordance with nationally accepted guidelines; and

WHEREAS, regular mammography is the single best method for detecting breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, between 1990 and 2003, age-adjusted breast cancer mortality in Maine women declined 17.3% due to research breakthroughs and early detection; and

WHEREAS, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrating its 22nd year of educating women about the importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim October, 2007 as

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

throughout the State of Maine, and encourage all Maine women over 40 to be aware that they are at risk for breast cancer, to get annual exams, and to check with their health care provider to see when they should get a mammogram.

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