The township committee issued a proclamation designating October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month at its recent meeting.
The announcement was made by committeewoman Eileen Lukens, a resident of Mantua for more than 30 years who has served on the committee since 2016. The proclamation coincides with the national observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this month.
“Whereas the Township of Mantua values the health of all its citizens and supports awareness of certain diseases such as breast cancer which affects the lives of its citizens,” Lukens read from the proclamation.
“Whereas breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States, where more than 190,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.”
Though breast cancer is more likely to occur in women, it can also be found in men, although they have a lower overall survival rate, according to a JAMA Network Oncology finding 45.8 percent in men, 60.4 percent in women.
Scientists attribute that to the minimal testing guidelines for males compared with women, making it harder to detect the cancer in men while it is still in the early stages.
To further make the breast cancer proclamation a reality, copies of the agendas for the meeting were printed on pink paper, the color associated with breast cancer awareness and what it represents as a whole to people. Lukens also brought in a pink water jug to the meeting.
“I don’t think that there’s a person that hasn’t been touched (by breast cancer) or knows somebody that has had a battle with breast cancer,” said Mayor Pete Scrirrotto.
“It means very much to me personally,” said Lukens. “I lost a beloved aunt to breast cancer and have many friends who have fought breast cancer. Early detection is key to survival, and by highlighting the awareness of the disease through the township’s proclamation, it keeps the disease and detection in the forefront.
“I am sure the committee will continue to proclaim October as breast cancer awareness month,” she added. “I know the residents of Mantua wholeheartedly support this proclamation.
“The more attention the disease gets, the closer we get to a cure.”
