At the request of Supervisor Robert Rickman – who represents Escalon at the county level –  the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors proclaimed February 2026 “National Cancer Prevention Month” in San Joaquin County. The proclamation came at their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 27. Accepting the recognition and making some remarks was the county’s Director of Public Health Services Renee Sunseri.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month; the American Cancer Society indicates that while the cause of most cancers is unknown, some lifestyle factors and inherited genetic mutations can increase risk, either by acting alone or in combination, to initiate and/or promote cancer growth.

“Prevention starts with awareness, continues with action, and saves lives,” said Supervisor Rickman. “By promoting education, early detection, and access to preventative care, we can help ensure healthier futures for our families and communities.”

Research shows that more than 40 percent of cases can be attributed to preventable causes such as smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun, among others.

In San Joaquin County, St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute, Stockton, has an accredited cancer program, added Rickman.