Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2019 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for (1) the designation of May 2019 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, (2) research to develop better treatments for brain tumors that will improve the quality of life and the long-term prognosis for those with brain tumors, and (3) those who are battling brain tumors.
Additionally, the resolution encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors to honor individuals who are living with or who have lost their lives to brain tumors.
Lastly, the resolution urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 258 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 258

Expressing support for the designation of May 2019 as ``National Brain 
                        Tumor Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 20, 2019

 Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Markey, Ms. Collins, Mr. Van Hollen, and 
 Ms. Warren) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2019 as ``National Brain 
                        Tumor Awareness Month''.

Whereas an estimated 86,970 new cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be 
        diagnosed in the United States during calendar year 2019;
Whereas pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of death from cancer in 
        children under the age of 19;
Whereas the average survival rate in the United States for all malignant brain 
        tumor patients is only 35 percent;
Whereas, in 2019, an estimated 16,830 people in the United States will die as a 
        result of a malignant brain tumor;
Whereas brain tumors may be malignant or benign, but can be life-threatening in 
        either case;
Whereas nearly 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 brain tumors;
Whereas the treatment and removal of brain tumors present significant challenges 
        due to the uniquely complex and fragile nature of the brain;
Whereas brain tumors affect the primary organ in the human body that controls 
        not only cognitive ability, but the actions of every other organ and 
        limb in the body, leading to brain tumors being described as a disease 
        that affects the whole individual;
Whereas brain tumor research is supported by a number of private, nonprofit 
        research foundations and by Federal medical research institutions;
Whereas basic research may fuel advancements and development of new treatments 
        for brain tumors;
Whereas obstacles to the development of new treatments for brain tumors remain, 
        and there are limited strategies for the screening or early detection of 
        brain tumors;
Whereas, despite the high number of individuals diagnosed with a brain tumor 
        every year and the devastating prognoses for such individuals, only 5 
        drugs and 1 medical device are approved by the Food and Drug 
        Administration to treat brain tumors;
Whereas the mortality rates associated with brain tumors have changed little 
        during 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 2019, during which brain tumor advocates nationwide unite in 
        awareness, outreach, and advocacy activities, is an appropriate month to 
        recognize as ``National Brain Tumor Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of May 2019 as ``National 
        Brain Tumor Awareness Month'';
            (2) encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors 
        to honor those individuals who have lost their lives to this 
        devastating disease or currently live with a brain tumor 
        diagnosis;
            (3) supports efforts to develop better treatments for brain 
        tumors that will improve the quality of life and the long-term 
        prognoses of those individuals diagnosed with a brain tumor;
            (4) expresses its support for those individuals who are 
        battling brain tumors, as well as the families, friends, and 
        caregivers of those individuals; and
            (5) urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research, 
        which is a promising means of advancing understanding of, and 
        treatment for, brain tumors.
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