house resolution no.199

Reps. Witwer, Garza, Brixie, Brenda Carter, Kennedy, Cynthia Johnson, Chirkun, Manoogian, Hammoud, Wittenberg, Bollin, Hood, Hope, Love, Sneller, Sowerby and Stone offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare December 1-7, 2019, as Cancer Screen Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, In 2019, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 600,000 people will lose their lives to cancer in the United States. Approximately 21,150 of these deaths will be in Michigan; and

Whereas, The National Cancer Institute estimates up to 210,000 deaths in United States could be avoided with early and appropriate cancer screening; 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 cancers, 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 many 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 women, prostate cancer rates in black men are almost double those of other men, cervical cancer is more prevalent among Hispanic and African-American women, two out of three people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older, and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, 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; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare December 1-7, 2019, as Cancer Screen Week in the state of Michigan. We encourage all citizens of Michigan to visit cancerscreenweek.org for cancer screening resources and talk to their healthcare providers about risk factors and recommended screening options for all cancer types including, but not limited to, breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. We recognize the burden of cancer in our country and state and urge all to talk with their healthcare providers about appropriate screenings for prevention and early detection of cancer.