SR0201 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0201 LRB101 07450 MST 52492 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2019, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 600,000 people will lose their lives to cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that 24,410 people in Illinois will die from cancer in 2019; and

WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute estimates that from 18,000 to 210,000 deaths in the United States could be avoided with prevention and early detection; and

WHEREAS, The cancer death rate dropped 25 percent between 1991 and 2014 because of 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 about 55 percent of lung cancers, 90 percent of colon and rectum cancers, 91 percent of cervical cancers, 99 percent of breast, and 98 percent for melanoma of the skin cancers; and

WHEREAS, Many of these cancers are often preventable, and early detection and treatment are critical as cancer does not always cause symptoms and may 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 cancers 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; and

WHEREAS, For those individuals who are found through screening to have cancer, they are presented with clear and complete options for further diagnostic or molecular testing and treatment by their healthcare providers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that all citizens of Illinois 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, as well as recommended screening options; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare the first week of December 2019 as "Cancer Screen Week" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly is urged to take actions to evaluate current levels of funding for cancer screening in state medical assistance, public health, or standalone programs to ensure adequate funding is available for cancer screening and/or treatment services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly is urged to identify and advance policies to increase rates of cancer screening and improve cancer screening awareness.