IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 753 
Recognizing that the occurrence of prostate cancer in African-American men 
has reached epidemic proportions and urging Federal agencies to address 
that health crisis by supporting education, awareness outreach, and re-
search specifically focused on how prostate cancer affects African-Amer-
ican men. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 1, 2012 
Mr. MEEKS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing that the occurrence of prostate cancer in Afri-
can-American men has reached epidemic proportions and 
urging Federal agencies to address that health crisis 
by supporting education, awareness outreach, and re-
search specifically focused on how prostate cancer affects 
African-American men. 
Whereas the incidence of prostate cancer in African-American 
men is more than one-and-a-half times higher than in 
any other racial or ethnic group in the United States; 
Whereas African-American men have the highest mortality 
rate of any ethnic and racial group in the United States, 
dying at a rate that is approximately two-and-a-half 
times higher than other ethnic and racial groups; 
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•HRES 753 IH 
Whereas that rate of mortality represents the largest dis-
parity of mortality rates in any of the major cancers; 
Whereas prostate cancer can be cured with early detection 
and the proper treatment, regardless of the ethnic or ra-
cial group of the cancer patient; 
Whereas African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed 
at an earlier age and at a later stage of cancer progres-
sion than all other ethnic and racial groups, leading to 
lower cure rates and lower chances of survival; 
Whereas for patients diagnosed early, studies show a 5-year 
survival rate of nearly 100 percent, but the survival rate 
drops significantly to 28 percent for patients diagnosed 
in late stages; and 
Whereas recent genomics research has increased the ability to 
identify men at high risk for aggressive prostate cancer: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes that prostate cancer has created 
a health crisis for African-American men; 
(2) recognizes the importance of health cov-
erage and access to care, as well as promoting in-
formed decisionmaking between men and their doc-
tors, taking into consideration the known risks and 
potential benefits of screening and treatment options 
for prostate cancer; 
(3) urges Federal agencies to support— 
(A) research to address and attempt to end 
the health crisis created by prostate cancer; 
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•HRES 753 IH 
(B) efforts relating to education, aware-
ness, and early detection at the grassroots level 
to end that health crisis; and 
(C) the Office of Minority Health of the 
Department of Health and Human Services in 
focusing on improving health and healthcare 
outcomes for African-Americans at an elevated 
risk of prostate cancer; and 
(4) urges investment by Federal agencies in re-
search focusing on the improvement of early detec-
tion and treatment of prostate cancer, such as the 
use of— 
(A) biomarkers to accurately distinguish 
indolent forms of prostate cancer from lethal 
forms; and 
(B) advanced imaging tools to ensure the 
best level of individualized patient care. 
Æ 
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