SR0236 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0236 LRB098 11761 GRL 44771 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, and within every ethnic population, in Illinois, the United States, and the world; this year, lung cancer killed more Americans than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, an estimated 226,160 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States (116,470 among men and 109,640 among women); and

WHEREAS, In 2012, there were an estimated 160,340 deaths from lung cancer in the United States (87,750 among men and 72,590 among women), accounting for about 27% of all cancer deaths; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, there were an estimated 9,190 people diagnosed with lung cancer in the State of Illinois; it is estimated that more than 6,590 residents succumbed to the disease; and

WHEREAS, Causes of lung cancer include smoking, secondhand smoke, exposure to toxins and known carcinogens, and genetic abnormalities; and

WHEREAS, 80% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in people who have never smoked or who have quit smoking; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 90% of lung cancer deaths among men and nearly 80% of lung cancer deaths among women are attributed to smoking; and

WHEREAS, Lung cancer has a poor prognosis; even with treatment, people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer have a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%; and

WHEREAS, Increased awareness and coordination among all stakeholders, including federal and state governments, providers, patient groups, community leaders and organizations, the public, businesses, and researchers, is critical to promote the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the month of November of 2013 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.