BILL NUMBER: SCR 61 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT RESOLUTION CHAPTER 4 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 13, 2012 ADOPTED IN SENATE FEBRUARY 9, 2012 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 8, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE FEBRUARY 6, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Senator Evans (Coauthors: Senators Correa, Leno, Liu, Negrete McLeod, and Pavley) (Coauthors: Assembly Members : Ammiano, Atkins, Block, Bonilla, Butler, Chesbro, Hall, Hayashi, Huffman, Pan, Swanson, Wieckowski, and Williams) JANUARY 25, 2012 Relative to Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 61, Evans. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This measure would recognize January 2012 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and would encourage prompt access to preventive services and medical care in order to overcome barriers to care and treatment for cervical cancer. WHEREAS, Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women; and WHEREAS, In California, cervical cancer continues to be the 12th most common cancer diagnosed among women and the seventh most common cancer among the Latina and Vietnamese populations; and WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 1,400 California women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 400 die from this disease; and WHEREAS, Cervical cancer is preventable through regular screenings, and certain cervical cancers may be preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination; and WHEREAS, The cost of treating cervical cancer continues to range from $300 million dollars to $400 million dollars nationwide; and WHEREAS, Many women are not aware of cervical cancer and the steps that can be taken to prevent this disease; and WHEREAS, Mortality from cervical cancer is associated with being diagnosed at a later stage, which often stems from poor access to preventive services and a lack of understanding about following up for care after an abnormal finding; and WHEREAS, Awareness of cervical cancer, its risk factors, and the importance of access to preventive measures, including regular Pap tests and the HPV vaccination, are critical to perpetuating the continual decrease of the incidence of cervical cancer in women; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of January 2012 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages prompt access to preventive services, including Pap tests and HPV vaccinations, and high-quality medical care and treatment, in order to overcome ethnic, racial, and economic barriers to care that can increase a woman's lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.