HR0701 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0701 LRB101 19118 ECR 68581 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2020, an estimated 13,800 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., and approximately 4,290 deaths will occur from cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, All women are at risk for cervical cancer, with women over the age of 30 being at the highest risk; and

WHEREAS, Certain groups continue to be at increased risk of developing or dying from cervical cancer; Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native women all have higher rates than other racial or ethnic groups; African American women have the highest death rates from cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, Patients should consult their health care providers regarding individual risk for developing cervical cancer and HPV; and

WHEREAS, The FDA recently expanded approval of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from anyone aged 9 to 26 to anyone aged 9 to 45; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90 percent of HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, Since the HPV vaccine was introduced in the United States, cervical cancer rates related to HPV have decreased by almost 50 percent; and

WHEREAS, The HPV vaccine is safe and effective; with vaccination and appropriate screening, cervical cancer is preventable; and

WHEREAS, Additional education and research on cervical cancer and HPV is needed, so more effective screening tests and treatments can be developed, including through clinical trials for cervical cancer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare January 2020 as Cervical Health Awareness Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the University of Illinois Cancer Center as a symbol of our appreciation for their efforts in raising awareness and educating patients on how they can protect themselves against HPV and cervical cancer.