He signed the proclamation of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in his conference room.
He urged women to be “pro-active” in getting a clinical breast examination, said his executive secretary Vinycia Seman.
“Clinical breast exams performed by your healthcare provider and a breast self-examination should be practiced by women 20 years of age and older or a regular basis,” the proclamation stated.
Flores encouraged families to have their daughters, sisters and mothers to visit medical professionals to ensure an early detection of the deadly disease.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among CNMI women.
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez emphasized the importance of education and awareness about breast cancer.
According to the Department of Health, five new cases of female breast cancer were diagnosed between 2008 and 2010.
The mammogram, an X-ray picture of the breast, is recognized as the most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt on women 40 years of age and older, the department said.
