October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – an annual campaign to raise awareness of the disease and its risks, and promote the value of screening and early detection.

The American Cancer Society’s recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States sadly note that more than 200,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year and about 40-thousand women will die from breast cancer in 2017.

Men are among those affected by the disease, however breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Disproportionately impacted, African-American women are much more likely to die from the disease.

Currently, there are more than 3.1 million people with a history of breast cancer in the United States. We are grateful for breast cancer survivors and encourage their fight. This month also offers a unique opportunity to pay closer attention to our own health and to the well-being of our community.

For more information on breast cancer in Prince George’s County, including contact the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at 301.552.8524.

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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council. The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy. The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro. For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov.