Governor Stein Proclaims Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 119,600 new cases of gynecologic cancer (including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers) will be diagnosed this year, and that there will be 34,780 deaths from these diseases;

Whereas, a woman’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is about 1 in 78; and ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths of women in the United States, causing more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer; and

Whereas, gynecologic cancers affect women of all backgrounds and ages; and while cervical cancer has screening tests that can help detect precancerous changes and cancer early, most other gynecologic cancers do not have recommended routine screening tests, making awareness of symptoms and timely medical evaluation especially important; and

Whereas, there are five main types of gynecologic cancer – cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar – and recognizing symptoms early, understanding risk factors, and seeking timely medical care can improve outcomes for women diagnosed with these diseases; and

Whereas, increased public awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of gynecologic cancer will enhance chances of early detection and increase survival rates; and

Whereas, impacted women are more than statistics: they are mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, aunts, grandmothers, friends, neighbors, and co-workers; and we commit to advocacy of gynecologic cancer awareness, we lend our support to those living with these diseases, and we remember the women who have lost their lives to gynecologic cancer;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as “Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.