Bill Text: CA SCR63 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2012-08-10 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 71, Statutes of 2012. [SCR63 Detail]
Download: California-2011-SCR63-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: SCR 63 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 71
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 10, 2012
ADOPTED IN SENATE APRIL 26, 2012
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 9, 2012
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 9, 2012
AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 5, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Senator Gaines
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Relative to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 63, Gaines. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
This measure would designate the month of September 2012 as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California.
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that one in six men
will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Approximately 241,740
new cases of the disease in the United States are predicted for 2012,
which would result in nearly 28,170 deaths; and
WHEREAS, In California, prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among men in most racial and ethnic groups. African American men are
at especially high risk for prostate cancer; and
WHEREAS, In California, approximately 20,200 men are predicted to
be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, and, of this number,
approximately 3,090 men are predicted to die of this disease; and
WHEREAS, California is home to approximately 621,340 Vietnam-era
veterans, the largest population of Vietnam War-era veterans in the
country; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, physicians at the UC Davis Cancer Center
released results showing that Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent
Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even
greater risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease, and
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that
if a veteran served in Vietnam and has prostate cancer, it is
presumed that the cancer is a result of that veteran's service; and
WHEREAS, While prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths
in men, little is known about this disease and there are usually no
symptoms in the early stages; and
WHEREAS, The survival rate approaches 100 percent when prostate
cancer is diagnosed and treated early, but drops to 29 percent when
the disease spreads to other parts of the body; and
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends that health care
providers offer a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a
digital rectal examination (DRE) annually to men who have at least a
10-year life expectancy, beginning when the men are 50 years of age;
and
WHEREAS, Men in high-risk groups, such as African American men or
those with brothers or fathers who have had prostate cancer, should
be offered a PSA and DRE beginning when they are 45 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Men who have multiple family members who were diagnosed
with prostate cancer at an early age should consult with their health
care provider about prostate cancer screening beginning when they
are 40 years of age; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of
September 2012 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
California and encourages public officials and citizens of California
to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature joins communities across our nation
to increase the awareness of the importance of early detection and
treatment of prostate cancer; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
