Bill Text: NY J00224 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2023, as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-28 - ADOPTED [J00224 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00224-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 224

BY: Senator PERSAUD

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        April 2023, as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month  in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  is  one  of the fastest growing cancer
diagnoses in the United States, increasing more than 400% in the past 20
years; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer kills one American every 36 minutes  each
and every day; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer is among the deadliest of cancers, with
fewer than one in five patients surviving five years; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer has low  survival  rates  because  it  is
usually  discovered at advanced stages when treatment outcomes are poor;
and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer in the United States is most often caused
by persistent heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease  (GERD),  yet
many  who  are  at  risk  are  unaware  of the potential danger GERD can
present when it occurs over several weeks or months; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer can be  a  silent  killer  with  patients
often  unaware  that  the cough, hoarse voice, sore throat or chest pain
they suffer can be signs of GERD and are reasons  to  discuss  screening
for esophageal cancer with their health care professional; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  can develop from GERD when fluids from
the stomach splash  up  to  create  cellular  change  in  the  esophagus
resulting in a precancerous condition known as Barrett's Esophagus which
can  lead  to  a  125-fold  increase  in  a patient's risk of developing
esophageal cancer; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer can be prevented through early  detection
of  its  precursor,  Barrett's Esophagus, which can be treated with new,
curative outpatient techniques; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal Cancer  Action  Network  (ECAN)  is  working  to
improve  public  awareness  of the link between heartburn and cancer and
supports progress in early detection and treatment of esophageal cancer;
and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer awareness,  along  with  improvements  in
prevention,  early  detection and treatment strategies, will enhance the
health and well-being of all Americans; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2023, as Esophageal
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.