SJ0071 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0071 LRB097 21162 JDS 68650 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Forty years ago, with the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971 (P.L. 92-218), leaders of the United States came together to establish cancer research and patient care as public health priorities; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, an estimated 571,950 Americans, or more than 1,500 people a day, were expected to die of cancer; and

WHEREAS, Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, cancer accounts for nearly 1 in every 4 deaths; and

WHEREAS, The risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases with age, with the majority of cases occurring in middle-aged and older adults; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, men have slightly less than a 1-in-2 lifetime risk of developing cancer; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, women have slightly more than a 1-in-3 lifetime risk of developing cancer; and

WHEREAS, A total of 65,610 new cases of cancer among Illinois residents were reported in 2011; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the American Cancer Society reported an estimated 23,140 cancer deaths in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Cancer touches everyone, either through a direct, personal diagnosis or indirectly through the diagnosis of a family member or friend; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Association for Cancer Research, the Human Genome Project has identified more than 290 cancer-related genes, and the list of those genes will continue growing as researchers continue identifying genomic changes associated with different types of cancer; and

WHEREAS, Other external factors affect cancer risks, including, but not limited to, differences in occupational hazards, environmental exposure to pollution and other toxins, access to education, nutrition, physical activity, safe neighborhoods, and healthy foods; and

WHEREAS, Scientific achievements have resulted in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of 39 targeted cancer therapies; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Association for Cancer Research, advances in chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and palliative care have led to important improvements in patient care and, as a result, increases in survival rates associated with many cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, aggressive lymphomas, and testicular cancer; and

WHEREAS, Advances in cancer care, including early detection and high-quality treatment programs, and access to health care coverage are necessary to provide cancer patients with an efficient and effective continuum of care; and

WHEREAS, Public policy can influence and support efficient cancer care by mitigating some of the economic and public health burdens on State agencies, including the Department of Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Human Services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that an urgent and significant need exists to discuss and evaluate public policies affecting cancer research, treatment, education, and prevention efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their support for the establishment of a joint legislative cancer caucus, to be formally known as the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus shall act as a forum for legislators and affiliate members to learn about important public health issues related to cancer and to evaluate legislative proposals concerning those issues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members and affiliate members of the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus shall work to increase awareness and promote policies to prevent, treat, and educate the public about cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying solutions to unmet needs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus shall work to strengthen community support programs, to meet the diverse needs of Illinois's citizens, and to support programs that make treatment options available to the medically indigent; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the organizing members of the Illinois General Assembly respectfully request recognition within the Illinois General Assembly as the official caucus for issues related to cancer prevention, treatment, and education efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be distributed to the members of the General Assembly, the Governor, the Director of Public Health, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human Services.