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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1521 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1521

Expressing support for the designation of September 30, 2024, as ``Rare 
  Cancer Day'' to highlight the challenges patients with rare cancers 
   face and to raise awareness and support efforts to improve early 
                        diagnosis and treatment.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 27, 2024

 Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Kilmer, 
   Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Mrs. Dingell) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing support for the designation of September 30, 2024, as ``Rare 
  Cancer Day'' to highlight the challenges patients with rare cancers 
   face and to raise awareness and support efforts to improve early 
                        diagnosis and treatment.

Whereas, approximately 1 in 5 people living with cancer in the United States is 
        diagnosed with a rare cancer;
Whereas all pediatric cancers are rare;
Whereas a quarter of all cancer deaths each year are due to rare cancers;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate is lower for patients with a rare cancer than 
        for those diagnosed with a more common cancer;
Whereas the early detection and treatment of rare cancers is challenging for 
        patients, providers, and scientists;
Whereas early detection of rare cancers currently is challenging for patients 
        because they are not aware of rare cancer symptoms;
Whereas the length of time that it takes for providers to diagnose a rare cancer 
        is longer than for more common cancers because symptoms may be unusual 
        and less recognizable;
Whereas efforts to increase awareness of rare cancer symptoms among patients and 
        clinicians would lead to earlier detection and improvements in survival 
        rates;
Whereas scientific understanding of and the development of effective treatments 
        for many rare cancers are less established than with more common 
        cancers; and
Whereas treatment options for many rare cancers currently are more limited than 
        with more common cancers: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports designating a ``Rare Cancer Day'';
            (2) recognizes the challenges of detecting rare cancer;
            (3) understands that rare cancer is prevalent among cancer 
        patients;
            (4) acknowledges the devastating impact that rare cancer 
        has on individuals;
            (5) recognizes the low survival rate of individuals with 
        rare cancer compared to more common cancers;
            (6) supports increasing awareness of rare cancer symptoms 
        to increase early detection and improve survival rates;
            (7) encourages partnerships with the medical and scientific 
        fields to improve the early diagnosis of rare cancers and to 
        develop effective treatments to eradicate them; and
            (8) supports the dedication of funding to explore cures and 
        treatments for rare cancers.
                                 <all>
```