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SALT LAKE CITY — Even though Utah women are among the best in the nation for a healthy lifestyle that eschews tobacco use and embraces exercise, the state ranks second worst for breast cancer screening rates.
At a Tuesday event designating October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gov. Gary Herbert reiterated Utah's goal to boost breast cancer screening rates to 76 percent of women age 40 and over by 2020.
"I think we can do better," Herbert said. "We must do better."
Screening rates in Utah have been on the decline since 2000, with women who commonly offer excuses that include no time, no symptoms or lack of breast cancer in the family.
Once symptoms develop, it is likely too late for women to stop the spread of cancer, said Dr. Joseph Miner said, Utah Department of Health executive director. Three-quarters of breast cancer cases are not hereditary, and 1 in 8 women will develop the cancer in their lifetime, Miner said.
At the ceremony in the rotunda at the state Capitol, Herbert also noted the importance of men to be aware of their risk, designating Oct. 15-21 in honor of Alan Blood, a Utah man who fell victim to breast cancer.
Nationally, 4,760 men develop breast cancer, and about 460 die each year.
The state health department is launching a revamped website, CancerUtah.org, designed to make it easier for people to find convenient screening locations.
Resources are also available for uninsured, low-income or underinsured people.
New statistics from the American Cancer Society say 252,710 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and it will kill an estimated 40,610 in 2017.
