October 2, 1996
Contact: Melissa Forsythe
502-564-2611

Governor Paul Patton today urged women to take advantage of screening programs and mammograms to detect breast cancer in its early stages, to save lives.

"If we all raise awareness about this disease that killed 631 of our wives and mothers and daughters in Kentucky last year, all of them before their time, then we all get to be heroes. Then we all can save lives," Governor Patton said.

The governor and Judi Patton took part in a ceremony in the capitol rotunda to proclaim October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.

Governor Patton pointed out that each Kentucky county provides mammograms through local health departments. "We need to get Kentucky women, our sisters, wives and mothers, to think of getting their mammograms like they think of getting their teeth cleaned, or their winter coat out of the closet," the governor said.

The Pattons hosted a reception for participating groups at the Governor's Mansion.