October 2020 Proclaimed Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Morris County

Published on October 20, 2020

Diligence Over Past 30 Years Has Been Successful in Combating the Disease

With breast cancer being the most common cancer diagnosed among New Jersey women, outside of skin cancer, the Morris County Board of Freeholders has proclaimed October 2020 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, urging the public to continue a diligence that has led to some success in combating the disease.

The American Cancer Society reports that the decades-long decline

(JPG, 24KB) Freeholder Director Deborah Smith

in the breast cancer death rate continues - down by about 40 percent since 1989 - and that is attributed to early detection due to regular screening and people knowing the symptoms, as well as improved treatments, said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith, who introduced the proclamation last week.

But breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women, outside lung cancer, and access to breast cancer screening and optimal treatments for all New Jersey women remains an urgent public health issue, she added.

The sooner it is detected, the greater chances of a full recovery, said Freeholder Smith. So we must continue our vigilance and continue our awareness.

The proclamation was unanimously approved by the Freeholders during a virtual public hearing.

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