Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of May 2021 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 266 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 266

Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as ``National Brain 
                        Tumor Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 9, 2021

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as ``National Brain 
                        Tumor Awareness Month''.

Whereas more than an estimated 84,000 individuals will be diagnosed with a 
        primary brain tumor in the United States in 2021, and an estimated 
        87,240 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with a primary 
        brain tumor in 2020;
Whereas, in the United States, brain tumors are the--

    (1) leading cause of death from cancer in children who are under 14 
years of age and teens who are under 19 years of age; and

    (2) third leading cause of death from cancer in young adults who are 
between 20 and 39 years of age;

Whereas the average 5-year survival rate for an individual in the United States 
        following the diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor is only 36 
        percent;
Whereas it is estimated that 18,600 individuals in the United States will die as 
        a result of a malignant brain tumor in 2021;
Whereas brain tumors may be malignant or benign but can be life-threatening in 
        either case;
Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, approximately 
        700,000 individuals in the United States are living with a brain tumor;
Whereas treatment of brain tumors is complicated by the fact that more than 130 
        types of brain tumors exist;
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 those 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 30-year period preceding the date of introduction of this 
        resolution;
Whereas there is a need for greater public awareness of brain tumors, including 
        the difficulties associated with research on brain tumors and the 
        opportunities for advances in brain tumor research and treatment; and
Whereas May 2021, 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 2021 as ``National 
        Brain Tumor Awareness Month'';
            (2) encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors 
        to honor the individuals who have lost their lives to a brain 
        tumor 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 individuals diagnosed with a brain tumor;
            (4) expresses its support for 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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