SR1595 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1595 LRB100 21526 MST 38394 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 600,000 people will lose their lives to cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that 24,670 people in Illinois will die from cancer in 2018; and

WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute estimates up to 210,000 deaths in the United States could be avoided with early and appropriate cancer screening; and

WHEREAS, The cancer death rate dropped 26% between 1991 and 2014 due to reductions in smoking and advances in early detection and treatment; and

WHEREAS, Specifically, according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for cancers found at the local stage are approximately 56% for lung cancers, 90% for colon and rectum cancers, 92% for cervical cancers, 99% for breast cancers, and 99% for melanoma skin cancers; and

WHEREAS, Many of these cancers are often preventable; early detection and treatment are critical as cancer does not always cause symptoms and many occur in people with no family history; and

WHEREAS, Specific cancer types disproportionately affect different populations; for example, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among black women, prostate cancer rates in black men are double those of other men, and the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer for Alaska natives is about double that of other Americans; cervical cancer is more prevalent among Hispanic and African American women; two out of three people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is among the most common cancers in young adults; and

WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of screening for many cancer types in recommended populations remain substantially below Healthy People 2020 targets; and

WHEREAS, It is critical to reinforce the need for people to discuss their individual risk factors for cancer with their healthcare providers and understand the recommendations for, and benefits of, cancer screening; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that all citizens are encouraged to visit cancerscreenweek.org for cancer screening resources and talk to their healthcare providers about their risk factors for all cancer types including, but not limited to, breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, and skin cancers and recommended screening options; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare the first week of December of 2018 as "Cancer Screen Week".