Alaska’s Governor, Mike Dunleavy, declared February 4, 2024, as Cancer Awareness Day. This is due to cancer being the top cause of death in Alaska since 1993. Each year, over 2,000 Alaskans are diagnosed with different forms of cancer. The annual cost of cancer treatment in Alaska exceeds $200 million, showing the disease’s impact on the healthcare system.
The declaration highlights the need for awareness of various cancer types. The most common are prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Nonmelanoma skin cancer affects many Alaskans annually, and thyroid cancer can cause breathing difficulties.
The declaration also underlines the role of early detection in improving cancer patient outcomes. Alaskans are urged to know their family’s health history and discuss early screening with healthcare providers, particularly if they have a genetic or hereditary cancer risk.
Battling cancer is tough, but the declaration recognizes the ongoing work to enhance early detection and find better treatments. This includes progress in public policy, research funding, patient services, public education, and awareness.