Bill Text: MS HR15 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 15 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month; acknowledge the month of January 2011 as in Mississippi.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 21-4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-01-27 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR15 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2011-HR15-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Hines, Scott, Bailey, Broomfield, Brown, Buck (5th), Buck (72nd), Burnett, Clarke, Cockerham, Coleman (29th), Currie, Dickson, DuVall, Fredericks, Harrison, Johnson, Lane, Martinson, Peranich, Rogers (14th), Stevens, Thomas, Watson, Whittington, Woods

House Resolution 15

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2011 AS "CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND URGING ALL WOMEN TO UNDERSTAND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CERVICAL CANCERS AND TO TAKE PREVENTIVE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THOSE RISKS.

WHEREAS, cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in women worldwide; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, 12,280 women in the United States were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,021 women in the United States died as a result of cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, the incidence of and mortality from cervical cancer has been greatly reduced due to the use of Pap tests, which can detect precancerous lesions that can be treated before a cancer develops; and

WHEREAS, invasive cervical cancers are diagnosed at the localized, most treatable and survivable stage in 53% of Caucasian women and 45% of African-American women; and

WHEREAS, the primary cause of cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus commonly found in healthy women and only rarely resulting in cancer; and

WHEREAS, early detection, through annual Pap tests in compliance with the American Cancer Society's recommended guidelines, is the key to detecting cervical cancer at precancerous stages; and

WHEREAS, the burden of cervical cancer can be significantly reduced due to the development of the first vaccine to prevent the most common HPV infections that cause cervical cancer, for use in females ages nine to 26; and

WHEREAS, early cervical cancer detection through regular screening is the goal of the promotion of January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and of cervical cancer screening programs, such as the Mississippi Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes that all cancer issues must be addressed and encourages all members of the Mississippi Legislature, public officials and other interested parties to promote early and regular screenings and to recognize this important far-reaching issue:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge the month of January 2011 as "Cervical Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Mississippi and urge all women to understand the risks associated with cervical cancer, to take preventive steps to minimize those risks, and to undergo early detection procedures such as Pap tests and compliance with the American Cancer Society's recommended cervical cancer screening guidelines.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, State Department of Health and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.