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Special recognition promoting September 24, 2023, to October 1, 2023, as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) is an inherited genetic condition, meaning the cancer risk is shared within a family from generation to generation; and
WHEREAS, it is believed about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are hereditary and hereditary genetics can show a predisposition for various cancers; and
WHEREAS, as many as 90% of those with a genetic mutation that predisposes them to cancer are unaware, leaving millions of people at risk; and
WHEREAS, hereditary cancers are often more aggressive than other cancers, and occur at a younger age, when people are less likely to undergo cancer screening; and
WHEREAS, individuals with a hereditary risk for cancer require different cancer screening and risk management recommendations than the general population; and
WHEREAS, African Americans and Hispanic Americans are less likely to have access to hereditary cancer information, counseling, and appropriate healthcare; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Cancer Institute, examples of a personal or family medical history that could suggest hereditary cancer include: cancer diagnosed at an unusually young age, family members with breast or ovarian cancer, family members with colon cancer and endometrial cancer, or being a member of a racial or ethnic group, such as those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, that is known to have an increased risk of inherited cancer susceptibility syndromes; and
WHEREAS, raising awareness of hereditary cancer and knowledge of a genetic predisposition can directly lead to preventive strategies that can reduce the chance of dying from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that September 24, 2023 to October 1, 2023, be recognized as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that this County Board encourages Lake County residents to reach out to a medical professional for a genetic screening and evaluation for early detection, prevention, and treatment, especially if a family member has been diagnosed with a hereditary cancer.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 12, 2023.