Bill Text: NY J02634 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 2634 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2020, as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-28 - ADOPTED [J02634 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02634-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 2634

BY: Senator PARKER

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        April  2020,  as  Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months  that  are  set  aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim  April  2020,  as  Oral
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Oral Cancer Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS,  Oral  cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the
oral cavity (the mouth), on the lip, and the oropharynx (the part of the
throat at the back of the mouth); and

  WHEREAS, Oral cancer most commonly involves the tongue, the floor of
the mouth, the lip, and the minor salivary glands; and

  WHEREAS, Most oral cancers look very similar  under  the  microscope
and  are  called "squamous cell" carcinomas which are malignant and tend
to spread rapidly; and

  WHEREAS, Of the approximately 49,750 people in the United States who
will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer this year, only  slightly  more
than half, 57%, will be alive in five years; and

  WHEREAS,  132  people  in  America every day will be newly diagnosed
with an oral cancer, and that one person every hour of the day, 24/7/365
will die from oral cancer; and

  WHEREAS, While smoking and tobacco use are still major risk factors,
the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients in  young,  healthy,
nonsmoking  individuals is exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma
virus), the same virus which is responsible for the majority of cervical
cancers in women; and

  WHEREAS, From a gender perspective, for decades oral cancer affected
six men for every woman; that ratio has now  become  two  men  to  every
woman; and

  WHEREAS,  While  published  studies  do  not  exist  to  draw finite
conclusions, it is understood that this increase  is  due  to  lifestyle
changes,  primarily  the increased number of women smokers over the last
few decades; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, oral cancer  occurs  twice  as  often  in  the
African-American  population  as  in Caucasians, and survival statistics
for African-Americans over five years are also poorer at 33%, versus 55%
for Caucasians; and

  WHEREAS, Oral cancer  frequently  has  no  symptoms;  however,  when
symptoms do occur, the most common include a sore or ulcer on the lip or
in  the mouth that does not heal; a lump on the lip, in the mouth, or in
the neck; a white or red patch on the gums, tongue,  or  lining  of  the
mouth;  unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth; oral pain that
does not go away; difficulty or pain with chewing,  swallowing,  or  jaw
opening;  swelling  of  the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or to
become uncomfortable; tooth loosening; bad breath; sensory loss  in  the
face; abnormal taste in the mouth; or tongue problems; and

  WHEREAS,  When detected early, oral cancer patients have an 80 to 90
percent survival rate; and

  WHEREAS, Oral cancer screening should be a  routine  part  of  every
annual  dental  examination; regular check-ups, including an examination
of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection  of  cancerous
and  pre-cancerous  conditions; an individual may have a very small, but
dangerous, oral spot or sore and not  be  aware  of  it;  when  abnormal
tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), anyone
over the age of 17 should get an annual screening for  oral  cancer  and
anyone  with  a history of oral cancer should have a screening every six
months; and

  WHEREAS, The health and well-being of the people of the State of New
York is of paramount importance to this Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS, The observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month  provides  an
opportunity  to focus on this significant and complex medical condition,
to provide information on and raise public awareness  and  understanding
of  its causes, effects, and treatments, and to highlight its importance
to citizens of the State of New York of all ages; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo to proclaim April 2020, as Oral
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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.