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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Forty-six years ago, with the passage of the
3National Cancer Act of 1971, leaders of the United States came
4together to establish cancer research and patient care as
5public health priorities; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 2017, an estimated 600,920 Americans, or more
7than 1,640 people a day, are expected to die of cancer; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Cancer is the second most common cause of death in
9the United States, exceeded only by heart disease; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In the United States, cancer accounts for nearly
11one in every four deaths; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases
13with age, with 91% of new cases occurring at age 45 or later;
14and
 
15    WHEREAS, In the United States, men have slightly less than
16a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer; and
 
17    WHEREAS, In the United States, women have slightly more
18than a one in three lifetime risk of developing cancer; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, A total of 64,720 new cases of cancer among
2Illinois residents were reported in 2017; and
 
3    WHEREAS, In 2017, the American Cancer Society reported an
4estimated 20,040 cancer deaths in Illinois; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Cancer touches everyone, either through a direct,
6personal diagnosis or indirectly through the diagnosis of a
7family member or friend; and
 
8    WHEREAS, According to the Sanger Institute, the Cancer Gene
9Census has identified more than 600 cancer-related genes, and
10the list of those genes will continue growing as researchers
11continue identifying genomic changes associated with different
12types of cancer; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Other external factors affect cancer risks,
14including, but not limited to, nutrition, physical activity,
15safe neighborhoods, healthy foods, access to education, and
16differences in occupational hazards, environmental exposure to
17pollution and other toxins; and
 
18    WHEREAS, According to the American Association for Cancer
19Research, advances in chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and
20palliative care have led to important improvements in patient
21care and, as a result, increases in survival rates associated

 

 

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1with many cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia,
2Hodgkin's disease, aggressive lymphomas, and testicular
3cancer; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Advances in cancer care, including early
5detection and high-quality treatment programs, and access to
6health care coverage are necessary to provide cancer patients
7with an efficient and effective continuum of care; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Public policy can influence and support efficient
9cancer care by mitigating some of the economic and public
10health burdens on State agencies, including the Department of
11Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family
12Services, and the Department of Human Services; therefore, be
13it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE
16CONCURRING HEREIN, that an urgent and significant need exists
17to discuss and evaluate public policies affecting cancer
18research, treatment, education, and prevention efforts; and be
19it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House
21of Representatives, by this resolution, express their support
22for the establishment of a joint legislative cancer caucus, to

 

 

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1be formally known as the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus;
2and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus
4shall act as a forum for legislators and affiliate members to
5learn about important public health issues related to cancer
6and to evaluate legislative proposals concerning those issues;
7and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That the members and affiliate members of the
9Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus shall work to increase
10awareness and promote policies to prevent, treat, and educate
11the public about cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying
12solutions to unmet needs; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus
14shall work to strengthen community support programs, to meet
15the diverse needs of Illinois citizens, and to support programs
16that make treatment options available to the medically
17indigent; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That the organizing members of the Illinois
19General Assembly respectfully request recognition within the
20Illinois General Assembly as the official caucus for issues
21related to cancer prevention, treatment, and education
22efforts; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2distributed to the members of the General Assembly, the
3Governor, the Director of Public Health, the Director of
4Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human
5Services.