New Jersey-2010-SJR79-Introduced

A Joint Resolution designating November 10 of each year as "Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

Whereas, Neuroendocrine cells, located throughout the body, produce hormones used for a variety of important functions, such as regulating air and blood flow through the lungs and the production of adrenaline in the adrenal glands; and

Whereas, Neuroendocrine tumor cancer (NET cancer) occurs when these neuroendocrine cells grow uncontrollably into malignant tumors, disrupting the cells' important functions, and causing a wide variety of serious symptoms including recurrent lung infections, wheezing, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, heartburn, skin rashes, anxiety attacks, and sometimes death; and

Whereas, NET cancer most often originates in the lung or gastrointestinal system but can also begin in other organs, such as the pancreas, kidneys, ovaries, testes, or thyroid gland; and

Whereas, Even though thousands of Americans suffer from NET cancer, mistakes in diagnosis and caring for those suffering from NET cancer are far too common due to a lack of knowledge in the medical community about the disease; and

Whereas, Over 90 percent of NET cancer patients are incorrectly diagnosed and initially treated for the wrong disease; and

Whereas, Misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses mean that NET cancer patients are treated for the wrong disease, on average, for five to seven years, by which point the cancer has often spread, making survival less likely; and

Whereas, Despite the fact that the majority of neuroendocrine tumors are cancerous, healthcare professionals often believe they are not cancerous, are unlikely to cause serious harm, and underestimate the tumor's ability to spread to other parts of the body, further decreasing the patient's likelihood of survival; and

Whereas, Despite the well-publicized illness and death of Steve Jobs, who succumbed to a form of NET cancer, knowledge of the disease is too limited both within the medical community and among the general public; and

Whereas, Greater awareness and knowledge of NET cancer both in the medical and lay communities would substantially benefit those affected by helping to generate the funding for further research to improve treatments, and ultimately save more lives; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. November 10 of each year is designated as "Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day" in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the plight of those suffering from the disease, and in order to foster greater awareness and understanding both among the general public and within the medical community so that further research may be funded, treatments may improve, diagnoses may be more timely and accurate, and more lives may be saved.

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day" with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates November 10 of each year as "Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day" in the State of New Jersey.

Neuroendocrine tumors frequently develop into a form of cancer (NET cancer) that attacks the body's neuroendocrine system, comprised of important hormone-producing cells. Through attacking these cells, NET cancer harms thousands of Americans with serious symptoms, often leading to death. Frequent misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and underestimations of NET cancer's ability to spread, compound these problems for many unfortunate patients. This resolution will serve to foster greater awareness and understanding both among the general public and within the medical community by helping to generate the research funding for improving treatments to ultimately save more lives.

This resolution requests the Governor to urge public officials and citizens to observe "Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day" with appropriate activities and programs.