Whereas, Breast cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Michigan, with 5,900 new diagnoses expected and 1,320 deaths expected in 2007; and,

Whereas, African Americans are 39 percent more likely than Caucasians to die from breast cancer, partly due to a later stage of diagnosis; and,

Whereas, With regular screening, breast cancer is more likely to be detected at an earlier stage when it is most treatable, and early detection is the key to survival; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Cancer Consortium recommends annual breast cancer screening, including a clinical breast exam and mammogram for women of average risk starting at age 40; and,

Whereas, Although every women is at risk of developing breast cancer, several factors including age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast or ovarian cancer (especially pre-menopausal onset) in a mother, a sister, a daughter, or other multiple relatives, never giving birth or having a first child after age 30, have been shown to increase a woman's risk; and,

Whereas, Michigan public health agencies, health care providers, and hospitals statewide who work with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program cooperate to offer breast cancer screening and follow-up services for low-income women ranging in age from 40 to 64, and as a result, have screened more than 122,000 women, and have diagnosed and treated nearly 2,200 women with breast cancer since 1991, while also offering all women a resource for referral through the Michigan Health Promotion Hotline at 1-800-922-6266; and,

Whereas, Education can help inform the public of methods of early detection and prevention, such as efforts underway by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the Michigan Cancer Consortium and its members, the Michigan Department of Community Health, and the state of Michigan; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby declare October 2007 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to learn more about this disease, to recognize the importance of breast cancer screenings, and to assist the women they care about to seek regular breast cancer screening.