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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 538 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 538

  Designating September 2012 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness 
                                Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2012

   Mr. Sessions (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lugar, Mr. 
   Shelby, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Tester, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. 
  Hutchison, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
Isakson, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Moran, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, 
 Mr. Akaka, Mr. Kirk, Ms. Murkowski, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating September 2012 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas countless families in the United States live with prostate cancer;
Whereas 1 in 6 males in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer 
        during his lifetime;
Whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the 
        second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among males in the 
        United States;
Whereas, in 2012, the American Cancer Society estimates that 241,740 males will 
        be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 28,170 males will die from the 
        disease;
Whereas 30 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in males under 
        the age of 65;
Whereas, approximately every 14 seconds, a male in the United States turns 50 
        years old and increases his odds of developing cancer, including 
        prostate cancer;
Whereas African-American males suffer from a prostate cancer death rate that is 
        more than twice the death rate of White males from prostate cancer;
Whereas obesity is a significant predictor of the severity of prostate cancer;
Whereas the probability that obesity will lead to death and high cholesterol 
        levels is strongly associated with advanced prostate cancer;
Whereas males in the United States with 1 family member diagnosed with prostate 
        cancer have a 33 percent chance of being diagnosed with the disease, 
        males with 2 family members diagnosed have an 83 percent chance, and 
        males with 3 family members diagnosed have a 97 percent chance;
Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific 
        antigen blood test can detect the disease at the early stages, 
        increasing the chances of survival for more than 5 years to nearly 100 
        percent;
Whereas only 27.8 percent of males survive more than 5 years if diagnosed with 
        prostate cancer after the cancer has metastasized;
Whereas there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer while the cancer is 
        in the early stages, making screening critical;
Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in prostate cancer 
        prevention, early detection, and treatment; and
Whereas educating people in the United States, including health care providers, 
        about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to 
        saving the lives of males and preserving and protecting families: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 2012 as ``National Prostate Cancer 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) declares that steps should be taken--
                    (A) to raise awareness about the importance of 
                screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate 
                cancer;
                    (B) to increase research funding in an amount 
                commensurate with the burden of prostate cancer so 
                that--
                            (i) screening and treatment for prostate 
                        cancer may be improved;
                            (ii) the causes of prostate cancer may be 
                        discovered; and
                            (iii) a cure for prostate cancer may be 
                        developed; and
                    (C) to continue to consider ways for improving 
                access to, and the quality of, health care services for 
                detecting and treating prostate cancer; and
            (3) calls on the people of the United States, interested 
        groups, and affected persons--
                    (A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer;
                    (B) to take an active role in the fight to end the 
                devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, 
                families, and the economy; and
                    (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness 
                Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>
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