Expressing support for the designation of May as "National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month".

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 341 Expressing support for the designation of May as ‘‘National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 1, 2019 Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself and Ms. NORTON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of May as ‘‘National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month’’. Whereas more than 500,000 families in the United States live with bladder cancer; Whereas more than 80,000 people are expected to be diag- nosed with bladder cancer and over 17,000 will die due to the disease in 2019 alone; Whereas bladder cancer affects people of all ages and back- grounds and is among the top 10 cancers with the high- est incidence rates in the United States; Whereas bladder cancer is known as one of the most expen- sive cancers to treat on a per patient basis with a recur- rence rate of approximately 50 to 80 percent, requiring lifelong surveillance; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:16 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR341.IH HR341 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 341 IH Whereas bladder cancer symptoms, such as blood in the urine, are easily recognized, however, many are unaware of the threat of bladder cancer, often prolonging time to diagnosis; Whereas if diagnosed early, bladder cancer is treatable; Whereas military veterans are twice as likely as non-veterans to be diagnosed with bladder cancer; Whereas women are often diagnosed at a later stage in the development of bladder cancer, and when diagnosed at the same stage as men, women have a worse prognosis; Whereas if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the life ex- pectancy of an individual with bladder cancer decreases; Whereas the quality of life of a person with bladder cancer will depend on future treatment and diagnosis develop- ments, which will rely on research advancements; Whereas there have been few new treatments developed for bladder cancer in more than 20 years; Whereas research advancements for bladder cancer are lim- ited by lack of awareness about the disease within the medical community and general public; Whereas increased awareness will promote early diagnosis and increase chances of survival; Whereas increased awareness will bolster public support of the disease and thus increase funding for innovative re- search and the development of new treatment options and diagnostic tools; Whereas traditionally, throughout May, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones walk together throughout the United States to raise awareness of bladder cancer; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:16 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR341.IH HR341 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 341 IH Whereas the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and its com- munity of patients, caregivers, and specialists seek to fos- ter a community of hope and support, fund and conduct research for innovative treatments and diagnostic tools, and increase public awareness and understanding of blad- der cancer; and Whereas May would be an appropriate month to designate as ‘‘National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Blad- 2 der Cancer Awareness Month’’; 3 (2) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 4 Bladder Cancer Awareness Month’’; and 5 (3) calls on the people of the United States, in- 6 terested groups, and affected persons to— 7 (A) promote awareness of bladder cancer 8 and to foster understanding of the impact of 9 the disease on patients and their families and 10 caregivers; 11 (B) take an active role in the fight to end 12 bladder cancer; and 13 (C) observe ‘‘National Bladder Cancer 14 Awareness Month’’ with appropriate ceremonies 15 and activities. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:16 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR341.IH HR341 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS