Hays County Commissioners Court Proclaims October As Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nearly 253,000 women and 2,000 in men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 in the U.S., and every 17 minutes a woman loses her life to the disease.

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Hays County and urged women over 40 years of age to have yearly mammograms and for women and men to be aware of changes in their breasts.

According to the proclamation, one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Some will experience no symptoms prior to diagnosis, making annual mammograms one of the best ways to diagnose. Nearly 253,000 women and 2,000 in men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 in the U.S., and every 17 minutes a woman loses her life to the disease.

The good news is that breast cancer is not a death sentence, with some three million survivors in the U.S. Regular screenings are key to survival.

CTMC Chief Nursing Officer Elsie Graves noted that each year CTMC partners with Community Action to offer 100 free mammograms to area women who are uninsured. Visit www.ctmc.org to learn more about special awareness and fundraising events during October.

Court members thanked CTMC representatives for their efforts in helping combat the disease and for CTMC’s offer of free mammograms for those unable to afford screenings.  

Photo Attached:

Left to right, Amy Stanfield, CTMC Women’s Council; Melissa Burkhart, CTMC Executive Assistant; Jerilyn Miller, CTMC Foundation Director; Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe; CTMC Chief Nursing Officer Elsie Graves; Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant.