ATLANTA (October 10, 2013) – The Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus, Center for Black Women’s Wellness and Komen Atlanta sponsored Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Forum at the State Capitol today, hosting a policy briefing for lawmakers.
“We came together today to start changing the conversation from awareness to prevention and saving lives,” said Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), “Significant action needs to be taken to safeguard women from breast cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer incidences among the female population in Georgia and on average kills 1,014 Georgia females each year.”
“Today’s rally was a critical step forward in ensuring that all women in Georgia have access to quality breast health services, which is key to the early detection of breast cancer, treatment outcomes and survival,” said Cati Stone, executive director for Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta. “All of us must work together to improve every woman’s ability to detect and fight breast cancer.”
State Senators Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale), Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro) and Donzella James (D-Atlanta) also joined with Sen. Orrock and other members of the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus for the policy briefing that featured medical experts, policy advocates and breast cancer survivors. They offer the following statements:
Sen. Seay said, “It was inspiring to hear the testimonies from breast cancer survivors today, and as a Georgia woman who has been impacted by health issues, I want to remind women everywhere to take care of themselves first so they can be there to care for others.
Sen. Davenport said, “I encourage everyone to join in on Brest Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink, thinking pink and taking action. One way to participate is joining me at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 26th at Centennial Olympic Park.”
Sen. James said, “Although we have made great strides in breast cancer research, treatment and early detection, there is still much to be done. The Women’s Caucus pledges to take a leading role in determining the best way to use state resources to eradicate this debilitating disease.”
For every 100,000 Georgia women, there is a 118.6 to 122.9 rate of breast cancer incidences. On average, 4,993 new invasive and 1,060 in situ breast cancer cases are diagnosed among Georgia females annually. These alarming statistics indicates breast cancer the overall leading cancer diagnoses in Georgia women. Learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month online here: www.KomenAtlanta.org.