A resolution supporting the designation of May 2021 as "National Cancer Research Month".

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 253 Supporting the designation of May 2021 as ‘‘National Cancer Research Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 27, 2021 Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mrs. HYDE- SMITH, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. SCOTT of Florida, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. CRAMER, and Mr. ROUNDS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions JUNE 7, 2021 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of May 2021 as ‘‘National Cancer Research Month’’. Whereas, in 2021, in the United States— (1) cancer remains one of the most pressing public health concerns; (2) an estimated 1,898,160 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with cancer; and (3) an estimated 608,570 individuals are expected to die from cancer; Whereas 39 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR253.ATS SR253 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 SRES 253 ATS Whereas cancer in the United States— (1) as of the date of adoption of this resolution, is the second most common cause of disease-related death; and (2) may become the primary cause of disease-related death; Whereas the incidence of cancer is expected to grow signifi- cantly, reaching 2,300,000 cases per year by 2030; Whereas racial and ethnic minorities, as well as low-income, rural, and elderly populations, continue to suffer dis- proportionately in cancer incidence, prevalence, and mor- tality; Whereas the term ‘‘cancer’’ refers to more than 100 diseases that collectively represent, in the United States— (1) the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 85; (2) the second leading cause of death for all individ- uals; and (3) the leading cause of disease-related death among children ages 1 to 14; Whereas the most recent projection indicates that the overall cancer-attributed costs to the United States would in- crease more than 30 percent between 2015 and 2030 to a cost of more than $245,000,000,000; Whereas the investment the United States has made in can- cer research has— (1) yielded substantial advances in cancer research and cancer treatment; and (2) has saved and improved millions of lives; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR253.ATS SR253 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 SRES 253 ATS Whereas advancements in understanding the causes, mecha- nisms, diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of cancer have— (1) led to cures for many types of cancer; and (2) converted other, non-curable types of cancer into manageable chronic conditions; Whereas the 5-year survival rate for all types of cancer was more than 67 percent between 2011 and 2017; Whereas more than 16,900,000 survivors of cancer were liv- ing in the United States in 2019; Whereas therapies and effective screening tools for some types of cancer remain elusive, and some cancers, includ- ing pancreatic, liver, lung, ovarian, and brain cancer, continue to have— (1) extraordinarily high mortality rates; and (2) 5-year survival rates, for all stages of cancer combined, that are typically less than 50 percent; Whereas partnerships among research scientists, the general public, survivors of cancer, patient advocates, philan- thropic organizations, industry, and Federal, State, and local governments have led to advanced breakthroughs for patients with cancer, including early detection tools that have increased survival rates and a better quality of life for survivors of cancer; Whereas precision medicine holds great promise in treating many forms of cancer; Whereas researchers have learned a substantial amount about cancer diagnoses, treatment, and prevention from the 8 percent of patients who enroll in clinical trials; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR253.ATS SR253 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 SRES 253 ATS Whereas clinical trials are a key part of medical research, and inclusive clinical trials with diverse participation among gender, racial, and ethnic populations— (1) are important in achieving a comprehensive anal- ysis of cancer; and (2) lead to more effective treatments that improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities; Whereas advances in cancer research have had significant im- plications for the development of COVID–19 vaccines and the treatment of other costly diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV/AIDS; Whereas 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971 (Public Law 92–218; 85 Stat. 778), which created the National Cancer Program and strengthened the National Cancer Institute (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘NCI’’) in leading the mission of the United States to conquer cancer; and Whereas the NCI— (1) serves as an incubator for preeminent cancer re- searchers; (2) has created 71 NCI-designated cancer centers; and (3) awards research grants for projects that will lead to innovative treatments and groundbreaking cures: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the designation of May 2021 as 2 ‘‘National Cancer Research Month’’; 3 (2) recognizes the importance of cancer re- 4 search and the invaluable contributions of cancer re- 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR253.ATS SR253 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 5 SRES 253 ATS searchers in the United States and around the world 1 who are dedicated to the conquest of eliminating 2 cancer; and 3 (3) continues to support cancer research as a 4 national and international priority to eventually 5 eliminate the more than 100 diseases that are re- 6 ferred to as cancer. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR253.ATS SR253 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS