Bill Text: PA HR858 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating the month of September 2012 as "Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2012-09-25 - Adopted (198-0) [HR858 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR858-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 4065
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 858 Session of2012
INTRODUCED BY SANTARSIERO, WATSON, ROCK, BISHOP, LONGIETTI, SAYLOR, MILLARD, PARKER, KOTIK, MATZIE, HARHART, FRANKEL, SCAVELLO, YOUNGBLOOD, SONNEY, EVERETT, DiGIROLAMO, ROSS, PYLE, BRENNAN, DAVIS, JAMES, CALTAGIRONE, K. BOYLE, READSHAW, HARHAI, GINGRICH, GEORGE, VEREB, DALEY, KILLION, HAHN, KNOWLES AND CUTLER, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2012 as "Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The thyroid gland is a small gland located at the
base of the throat that secretes hormones which control weight,
heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; and
WHEREAS, Thyroid cancer is the most common form of endocrine
cancer and the fastest growing cancer in men as well as women;
and
WHEREAS, Thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups; and
WHEREAS, The greatest number of cases is found in persons
between the ages of 25 and 60 and is three times as likely to be
found in women than in men; and
WHEREAS, The chance of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer
has increased considerably in recent years and is now more than
twice what it was in 1990; and
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WHEREAS, Advances in technology, such as the increased use of
ultrasound tests of the thyroid, enables a physician to see
small nodules that could not have been previously detected; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Cancer Institute at the
National Institutes of Health, more than 56,000 new cases of
thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in 2012, with more than 43,000
of these cases being diagnosed in women; and
WHEREAS, The mortality rate for thyroid cancer has remained
relatively stable over time and is low when compared to other
types of cancers, and it is estimated that approximately 1,800
patients will succumb to thyroid cancer in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Although the exact cause of thyroid cancer has not
been identified, risk factors include a diet low in iodine,
exposure to radiation such as that for certain medical
procedures or tests and heredity; and
WHEREAS, According to a study conducted by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania ranked as the
number one state in thyroid cancer-related cases between 2001
and 2005, with 12.8 cases per 100,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, For that same time period, Bucks, Lancaster, Lehigh,
Luzerne, Northampton and York counties fell within the top 18
counties nationwide for the highest number of thyroid
cancer-related cases; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
need to raise public awareness with regard to the increasing
rates of thyroid-related cancer in this Commonwealth and urge
its citizens to have regular examinations in order to ensure
early detection, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives join with the
American Cancer Society to designate September 2012 as "Thyroid
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Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
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