RESOLUTION NO. 080973

Declaring the month of October 2008 to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Kansas City, Missouri.

WHEREAS, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women today; and

WHEREAS, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 to 54; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States, including women in Kansas City, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, more than 11,100 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; and

WHEREAS, an estimated one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, it is important that all women be educated about the need for early screening and detection through the use of self-examination and mammograms, regardless of breast cancer in ones family history; and

WHEREAS, although the prevalence of breast cancer in men is significantly lower than in women, men also need to become educated about breast cancer and its warning signs; and

WHEREAS, early detection can dramatically increase ones chance of survival; and

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States; and

WHEREAS, increased funding for research and treatments is needed; and

WHEREAS, Breast Cancer Awareness Month increases public awareness so that all of us can become more knowledgeable about the seriousness of this health problem and the importance of screening and detection; NOW, THEREFORE,

  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby declare the month of October 2008 to be "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in Kansas City, Missouri and encourage all citizens to become more knowledgeable about this serious health problem.

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