HR0772

LRB096 15955 GRL 31200 r





  
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HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, According to estimates released by the American 
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Cancer Society in 2009, 192,370 women in the United States will 
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be diagnosed with breast cancer, of which 40,170 will die; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women; 
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if breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, women have 
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more treatment options and a 96% survival rate; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In Illinois, partial or total costs of mammograms 
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are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health 
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plans; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Women in their forties account for more than a 
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quarter of breast cancer diagnoses and are more prone to 
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aggressive cancers that are resistant to treatment; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends annual 
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screening using mammography and clinical breast examination 
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for all women beginning at age 40; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly has recognized the 
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benefits of early detection of breast cancer and has passed 
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legislation expanding access to mammograms for all women in 
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Illinois; and
  
 
 


 






HR0772
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    WHEREAS, Since 1995, the Illinois Breast and Cervical 
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Cancer program has provided free screening and treatment for 
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uninsured women living in Illinois; through this program, over 
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66,000 women have been screened for breast and cervical cancer; 
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and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In November of 2009, a report issued by the U.S. 
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Preventative Services Task Force contradicted the American 
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Cancer Society's recommendations for breast cancer screening 
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by recommending that women have mammogram screenings every two 
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years starting at age 50; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The contradiction between the American Cancer 
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Society recommendations for early detection of breast cancer 
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and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force's findings and 
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recommendations has caused confusion and concern among women 
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and the health care industry; and
 
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    WHEREAS, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen 
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Sebelius officially responded to the recommendations made by 
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the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force by stating that women 
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should continue getting mammograms starting at age 40; 
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therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
 


 






HR0772
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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state our belief that breast cancer is a serious health problem 
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facing adult women and that mammography is part of the solution 
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beginning at age 40; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That we encourage all women to consult with their 
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health care providers about the benefits of early detection of 
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breast cancer; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Department of Public 
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Health to continue and expand its efforts to promote awareness 
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that early screenings for breast cancer and continue promoting 
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breast cancer screening based on recommendations that are 
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consistent with those of the American Cancer Society; and be it 
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further
 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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presented to the Governor and the Director of the Illinois 
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Department of Public Health.