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1
SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, In 2019, the American Cancer Society estimates
3that more than 600,000 people will lose their lives to cancer
4in the United States; and
5 WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that 24,410
6people in Illinois will die from cancer in 2019; and
7 WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute estimates that from
818,000 to 210,000 deaths in the United States could be avoided
9with prevention and early detection; and
10 WHEREAS, The cancer death rate dropped 25 percent between
111991 and 2014 because of reductions in smoking and advances in
12early detection and treatment; and
13 WHEREAS, Specifically, according to the American Cancer
14Society, the five-year relative survival rate for cancers found
15at the local stage are about 55 percent of lung cancers, 90
16percent of colon and rectum cancers, 91 percent of cervical
17cancers, 99 percent of breast, and 98 percent for melanoma of
18the skin cancers; and
19 WHEREAS, Many of these cancers are often preventable, and
20early detection and treatment are critical as cancer does not

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1always cause symptoms and may occur in people with no family
2history; and
3 WHEREAS, Specific cancer types disproportionately affect
4different populations; for example, breast cancer is the most
5common form of cancer among Black women, prostate cancer rates
6in Black men are double those of other men, and the likelihood
7of developing colorectal cancer for Alaska Natives is about
8double that of other Americans; cervical cancer is more
9prevalent among Hispanic and African-American women; two out of
10three people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older;
11melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancers is among the most
12common cancers in young adults; and
13 WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
14and Prevention, rates of screening for many cancer types in
15recommended populations remain substantially below Healthy
16People 2020 targets; and
17 WHEREAS, It is critical to reinforce the need for people to
18discuss their individual risk factors for cancer with their
19healthcare providers and understand the recommendations for,
20and benefits of, cancer screening; and
21 WHEREAS, For those individuals who are found through
22screening to have cancer, they are presented with clear and

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1complete options for further diagnostic or molecular testing
2and treatment by their healthcare providers; therefore, be it
3 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that all citizens of
5Illinois are encouraged to visit cancerscreenweek.org for
6cancer screening resources and talk to their healthcare
7providers about their risk factors for all cancer types
8including, but not limited to, breast, cervical, colon, lung,
9prostate, and skin cancers, as well as recommended screening
10options; and be it further
11 RESOLVED, That we declare the first week of December 2019
12as "Cancer Screen Week" in the State of Illinois; and be it
13further
14 RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly is urged to
15take actions to evaluate current levels of funding for cancer
16screening in state medical assistance, public health, or
17standalone programs to ensure adequate funding is available for
18cancer screening and/or treatment services; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly is urged to
20identify and advance policies to increase rates of cancer
21screening and improve cancer screening awareness.