Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2019

Missouri State Capitol Dome to be Lit Pink in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ??Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12, 2019, the Missouri State Capitol Dome will be lit pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.?

The dome will light up pink at sunset today and remain lit through Sunday morning to commemorate those lost to breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, individuals battling the disease, and medical professionals and researchers working to find a cure.

"Each year, and often far too soon, breast cancer takes the lives of many of our loved ones," Governor Parson said. "Lighting the Capitol Dome pink is one small way we can show our support to those in the fight against breast cancer, those we have lost, those who have beat the disease, and those who are working hard to find a cure."?

Breast cancer accounts for one-third of all cancers diagnosed among women in Missouri and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women behind lung cancer. Approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. From 2012 through 2016, an average of nearly 6,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed each year in Missouri women.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation celebrates October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month each year to increase awareness of the disease through education and promote early detection through breast cancer screening. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program supports states, including Missouri, with grant funding to provide education and services for women.??

In Missouri, the Show Me Healthy Women program offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings for Missouri women who meet age, income, and insurance guidelines.?

At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer for women who are at average risk. This is why screening by mammography, clinic breast examination, and breast self-examination are so important.

?The lighting of the Capitol dome pink to raise awareness about breast cancer is something all Missourians can be grateful for and proud to support,? said Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director. ?As a practicing OB-GYN for over 30 years, I understand the importance of women?s health and cancer screenings, and in conversations with Governor Parson, I appreciate his understanding and emphasis on prevention of diseases like breast cancer.?

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