Last week, the Clay County Commission named October to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They signed a proclamation stating:

In 2017, an estimated 1,400 West Virginia women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 280 women will die from the disease. Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer related deaths among WV women. A woman has about a 1 in 8 (12%) chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime and about a 1 in 37 (2.7%) chance of dying from this disease.

Currently, the best method to reduce deaths due to breast cancer is through early detection of the disease. Based on your age and medical history, your healthcare provider will be able to make the best breast health recommendation for you. This may include a clinical breast exam, mammogram, and monthly self-breast exams. Clinical breast exams, breast self-exams, and mammograms save lives. Women should talk to their health care provider about their individual screening schedule.

In recognitation of the important lifesaving early detection practices available for breast cancer, I, Greg Fitzwater, of the Clay County Commission, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2017, as West Virginia Breast Cancer Awareness Day and October 2017 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I urge all Clay County women to become aware that they are at risk for developing breast cancer, and to discuss screening with their healthcare providers.