SR0101 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0101 LRB101 07413 ALS 52453 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and the most commonly diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, there are expected to be approximately 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer and nearly 31,620 deaths from the disease in the United States; in Illinois, it is estimated that 6,690 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Prostate cancer affects all races and socioeconomic classes; however, compared to white men and other men of color, African American men are at an increased risk for developing prostate cancer; one in six African American men will develop prostate cancer; overall, African American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with, and 2.3 times more likely to die from, prostate cancer than white men; African American men are also slightly more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease; and

WHEREAS, Finding prostate cancer when it is still at an early stage offers the best hope for effective treatment and a cancer-free life; and

WHEREAS, If the disease progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the prognosis is poor, with a median survival of approximately three years; the patient, family, health, and economic burdens of prostate cancer, particularly of advanced-state cancer, are large; and

WHEREAS, Improved awareness of prostate cancer, an understanding of increased risks for developing the disease, as well as access to recent medical advances that may extend the time a patient lives without his cancer spreading are important to improve the patient's outcome; and

WHEREAS, Shared decision making between the patient, his family and other caregivers, and a physician is important to support the appropriate care for an individual's clinical situation; and

WHEREAS, Patients should consult their physicians regarding individual risk for developing prostate cancer, to determine when screening and other tests for early detection of prostate cancer are needed, and to understand the risks and possible benefits of screening; and

WHEREAS, Individuals who are diagnosed with prostate cancer can speak with their physician and other health care providers to learn more about the disease; they can also find support groups and services in their community or online; and

WHEREAS, Additional focus is needed on the personal and social burdens of prostate cancer to anticipate the needs and provide support to the patient, his family, and other caregivers; and

WHEREAS, Additional research on prostate cancer is needed, so new and more effective treatments can be developed, as well as a push for critical research and advanced treatments for prostate cancer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 2019 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of Illinois, and we ask the citizens of Illinois to become aware of prostate cancer, so they can have an informed conversation with their health care provider regarding possible screening and diagnostic methods and, if necessary, treatments to improve the outcomes and the psychosocial support for people affected by the disease.