IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 980 

Expressing support for designation of May 2020 as ‘‘National Brain Tumor 

Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 26, 2020 

Mr. QUIGLEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of May 2020 as 

‘‘National Brain Tumor Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas more than 86,000 people in the United States were 

diagnosed with a primary brain tumor last year, and an 

estimated 87,240 Americans will receive a primary brain 

tumor diagnosis in 2020; 

Whereas brain tumors are the leading cause of death from 

cancer in children under the age of 14, the leading cause 

of death from cancer for teens under the age of 19, and 

third leading cause of death from cancer in young adults 

ages 20 to 39; 

Whereas the five-year relative survival rate in the United 

States following diagnosis of a primary malignant brain 

and spinal tumor is only 36 percent; 


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Whereas over 18,000 people in the United States lost their 

battle with a brain tumor last year; 

Whereas brain tumors may be either malignant or benign, 

but can be life-threatening in either case; 

Whereas an estimated 700,000 people in the United States 

are currently living with a brain tumor; 

Whereas treatment of brain tumors is complicated by the fact 

that there are more than 130 different types of tumors; 

Whereas the treatment and removal of brain tumors present 

significant challenges because of the brain’s uniquely 

complex and fragile nature; 

Whereas brain tumors affect the primary organ in the human 

body that not only controls cognitive ability, but the actions of every other organ and limb in the body, leading 

to it being described as a disease that affects the essence 

of self; 

Whereas the first resolution recognizing the need for a ‘‘National Brain Tumor Awareness Month’’ was passed by 

the House of Representatives on May 21, 2008; 

Whereas brain tumor research is supported by a number of 

private nonprofit research foundations and by institutes 

at the National Institutes of Health, including the National Cancer Institute and National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke; 

Whereas basic research advances may fuel research and development of new treatments; 

Whereas there still remain daunting obstacles to the development of new treatments and there are no strategies for 

screening or early detection of brain tumors; 


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Whereas despite the number of new people diagnosed with a 

brain tumor every year, and their devastating prognosis, 

there have only been five Food and Drug Administrationapproved drugs and one device to treat brain tumors in 

the past 30 years; 

Whereas the five approved drugs for brain tumors have provided only incremental improvements to patient survival, 

and mortality rates remain little changed over the past 

30 years; 

Whereas there is a need for greater public awareness of brain 

tumors, including the difficulties associated with research 

on these tumors and the opportunities for advances in 

brain tumor research and treatment; and 

Whereas May 2020, when brain tumor advocates nationwide 

unite in awareness, outreach, and advocacy activities, 

would be an appropriate month to recognize as ‘‘National 

Brain Tumor Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Brain 

3 Tumor Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) encourages increased public awareness of 

5 brain tumors to honor those who have lost their lives 

6 to this devastating disease or are currently living 

7 with a brain tumor diagnosis; 

8 (3) supports efforts to develop better treat9 ments for brain tumors that will improve the quality 

10 of life and the long-term prognosis of those individ11 uals diagnosed with a brain tumor; 


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1 (4) expresses its support for those individuals 

2 who are battling brain tumors, as well as the fami3 lies, friends, and caregivers of those individuals; and 

4 (5) urges that a collaborative public-private ap5 proach to brain tumor research is the best means of 

6 advancing knowledge of and treatment for the dis7 ease. 

Æ 


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