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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COOK COUNTY RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 2024 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness and public knowledge of this disease, especially the importance of early detection of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment; and
WHEREAS, Breast Cancer is a significant global health issue that affects millions of individuals each year; and
WHEREAS, Breast Cancer is a prevalent and complex disease that arises from uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast tissue. Women are primarily affected by this, but men can also develop this condition; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women and 1 in 726 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S., as well as 56,500 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, an estimated 2,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in the U.S; and
WHEREAS, Breast cancer is about 100 times less common among White men than among White women. It is about 70 times less common among Black men than Black women. As in Black women, Black men with breast cancer tend to have a worse prognosis; and
WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women after skin cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 42,250 women and 530 men will die from breast cancer in 2024; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate is over 99% for breast cancer diagnosed at a localized stage, when the treatment is typically more effective and less extensive, but drops to 87% for regional-stage and 32% for distant-stage disease; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, approximately 66% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, before cancer has spread outside of the breast, when it is easiest to treat; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, the death rate for breast cancer among women in the United States has dropped 44% from its peak in 1989 to 2022. That translates to nearly 518,000 fewer breast cancer deaths during this time compared to the number that would have occurred if the peak rate had continued; and
WHEREAS, a woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, half of U.S. women who develop breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, younger people, particularly those under age 35 at the time of their original breast cancer diagnosis, face a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages when it is more difficult to treat; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Association, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women had the fastest increase in breast cancer incidence for both age groups. AAPI women younger than age 50 had a 2.5% increase in incidence a year and AAPI women older than age 50 had a 2.7% increase; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 5 Black women with breast cancer are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is harder to treat. This is higher than any other racial or ethnic group; and
WHEREAS, women 40 and older should have mammograms every 1 or 2 years; and
WHEREAS, roughly 40 million screening mammograms are performed annually in the United States. In addition, around 1.7 million diagnostic mammograms are performed each year.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families; recognizes the courage and strength of the individuals who are battling this terrible disease; and remembers loved ones whose lives have been affected by breast cancer; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize October 2024 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and recommit to increasing awareness and care for those impacted by breast cancer in Cook County.
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