WOODSTOCK — The local public health department is helping to focus attention on breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness month with an event Tuesday in downtown Woodstock.

In observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, officials of the North Georgia Health District based in Dalton and health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties are reminding the public that early detection is key in the treatment of breast cancer.

Tuesday’s event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the picnic area of the Woodstock Health Center at 7545 N. Main Street and is open to the public.

Those who attend are asked to wear pink attire. Activities will include recognition of two employee breast cancer survivors and a Zumba fitness demonstration.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is almost 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36.

Health officials here say the good news is that breast cancer death rates have been going down. According to ACS officials, this is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Other events are planned in the other communities across north Georgia as well this month

For more information call the Cherokee County Health Department at (770) 928-0133.

For more information about breast cancer, visit cancer.org/fightbreastcancer.