Words and Image by Jenny Lynn Davis
During the regular meeting of the Jasper City Council on Tuesday, September 12, Mayor David O’Mary issued a proclamation recognizing September as Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.
The proclamation emphasizes the importance of women taking an active role in their health by learning about the symptoms and risk factors associated with gynecological cancers, adopting healthy habits, and scheduling regular medical examinations. Early detection is crucial to improving the chances of successful treatment and reducing the impact of these diseases on women’s lives.
Gynecological cancers represent a significant health concern for women in the United States, with over 110,000 new diagnoses and more than 33,000 women losing their lives to these diseases yearly. These cancers are often diagnosed in advanced stages, making treatment more challenging.
The proclamation acknowledges the alarming statistics related to gynecological cancers in Alabama. The state is tied as the number one state for cervical cancer deaths in the U.S. and ranks sixth for ovarian cancer deaths. Notably, no early detection tests or screenings are available for four of the five types of gynecological cancers. This underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and research to improve early detection and treatment options for gynecological cancers.
Cecilia Crandall received the proclamation alongside ovarian cancer survivor Karen Globetti. Crandall’s daughter, Laura, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2009. In Laura’s honor, the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation was established to offer hope to gynecological cancer patients and their families through early detection research of ovarian cancer, to empower communities through gynecologic cancer awareness, and to enrich lives through support.
Crandall addressed the council during the meeting, saying, “Every six minutes, a woman is diagnosed with GYN cancer, and every 22 minutes, a woman dies from GYN cancer. The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation has granted more than $650,000 in ovarian cancer early detection research in Alabama and all over the United States.”
“We’ve educated thousands of community members on GYN cancer prevention, info, signs, and symptoms. We’ve provided emotional, educational, and direct financial support to thousands of GYN cancer patients, survivors, and co-survivors in Alabama. With your continued support, people in Jasper, Walker County, and surrounding areas are learning about GYN cancers and getting the support they need. On behalf of the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, we thank you for your continued support of this annual GYN cancer campaign.” WL
To learn more about The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, visit ThinkOfLaura.org.
