A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF THE GROWING RISK OF BLADDER CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES, TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES AND DEVELOP A CURE FOR THE DISEASE, AND TO DECLARE MAY 2023 AS "BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, bladder cancer forms in tissues of the bladder, the internal organ that stores urine, with most bladder cancers presenting as transitional cell carcinomas, beginning in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder; and

Whereas, while the exact cause of bladder cancer is uncertain, several factors may make people more likely to develop it, such as cigarette smoking, exposure to chemicals at work, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and chronic bladder infections; and

Whereas, the American Cancer Society estimates that in the United States 82,290 new cases of bladder cancer will be reported in 2023 and that 16,710 deaths will result from the disease; and

Whereas, to underscore the important challenges associated with bladder cancer and to recognize those who have been affected by bladder cancer, the South Carolina General Assembly wishes to recognize May 2023 as "Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" throughout the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, promote understanding of the growing risk of bladder cancer in the United States, encourage research in the medical community to identify the causes and develop a cure for the disease, and to declare May 2023 as "Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" in South Carolina.

----XX---