Commissioners proclaim October 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month; local providers urge screening

On Oct. 28 the Commissioners of St. Mary's County proclaimed October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and invited health‑care providers and survivor advocates to speak at the ceremony.

Dr. Amino Shah, medical oncologist and director of oncology services at the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Program at MedStar Saint Mary's Hospital, emphasized prevention and early detection. “The best way to defeat cancer is prevention and early detection,” Dr. Shah said, urging residents to work with providers to maintain recommended screening schedules.

Shannon Heaney, director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at the St. Mary's County Health Department, and local support‑group representatives described county screening assistance programs and survivor resources. Brandy McKelvey, a county paralegal who said she is 10 months in remission, spoke in support of patients and survivors.

Commissioners signed the proclamation and invited community nominations for the county's sustainability awards and other volunteer recognitions tied to health outreach during the month.