Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017, as "Sarcoma Awareness Week" and July 15, 2017, as "Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day".

Bill: 115-hres-420
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-9]
Introduced: 2017-06-28
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer

Commemorative events and holidays

Congressional tributes

Health personnel

Health promotion and preventive care

Medical research

Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Latest action: action_date: 2017-06-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-06-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p> Expresses support for the designation of Sarcoma Awareness Week and Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day. (Sarcoma is a malignant cancer that arises from certain tissues, such as bone or muscle. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that arises from smooth muscle tissue, most commonly originating in the uterus, stomach, intestine, or blood vessels.)</p> <p>Recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.</p>

tv_txt: IV 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 420 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 28, 2017 Mr. Levin submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017, as Sarcoma Awareness Week and July 15, 2017, as Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day .

Whereas a soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer, accounting for approximately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers, that arises in the connective tissue of the body; Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sarcoma as a rare form of cancer, with sarcoma containing approximately 70 different subtypes; Whereas sarcomas are largely resistant to current chemotherapy agents, immunotherapy agents, and radiation therapies, posing a formidable challenge for researchers and specialists; Whereas sarcoma subtypes have largely not received benefit from immunotherapies due to the complexity of the DNA, genomes, and mutations associated with the many variations in the sarcoma subtype landscape; Whereas leiomyosarcoma (referred to in this preamble as LMS ) is a malignant, aggressive subtype of soft tissue sarcoma derived from smooth muscle cells typically of uterine, gastrointestinal, or soft tissue origin, and can metastasize to the bone, spine, brain, and liver; Whereas the National Institutes of Health classifies LMS as a rare disease, accounting for approximately 15 percent of all sarcomas, and LMS itself encompasses at least 4 different LMS subtypes; Whereas LMS primarily affects adults without regard to gender; Whereas research and clinical trials for LMS remain complicated, and the prospects for long-term survival remain poor; Whereas multidisciplinary care coordination teams, because of their expertise and experience, are critical to the health of sarcoma and LMS patients; Whereas sarcoma and LMS research will allow medical professionals to improve the quality of care for affected patients, lead to better clinical outcomes, and promote longer survival for patients; and Whereas increased education and awareness about sarcoma and LMS will contribute to the well-being of the communities of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of Sarcoma Awareness Week ; (2) supports the designation of Leio­my­o­sar­co­ma Awareness Day ; (3) recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients; and (4) commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across the country working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.