[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 389 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 389

  Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to prostate cancer 
                              information.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 23, (legislative day June 22), 2004

Mr. Campbell (for himself, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. 
   Graham (SC), Mr. Burns, and Mrs. Lincoln) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to prostate cancer 
                              information.

Whereas in 2004, it is estimated that approximately 230,000 new cases of 
        prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and nearly 
        30,000 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer;
Whereas prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in 
        the United States;
Whereas more than $4,700,000,000 is spent annually in the United States in 
        direct treatment costs for prostate cancer;
Whereas African-American men are diagnosed with and die from prostate cancer 
        more frequently than men of other ethnic backgrounds;
Whereas increased education among health care providers and patients regarding 
        the need for prostate cancer screening tests has resulted in the 
        diagnosis of approximately 86 percent of prostate cancer patients before 
        the cancerous cells have spread appreciably beyond the prostate gland, 
        thereby enhancing the odds of successful treatment;
Whereas the potential complication rates for significant side effects vary among 
        the most common forms of treatment for prostate cancer;
Whereas prostate cancer often strikes elderly people in the United States, men 
        should have an opportunity to learn about the benefits and limitations 
        of testing for prostate cancer detection and of treatment of prostate 
        cancer, so that they can make an informed decision with the assistance 
        of a clinician; and
Whereas Congress as a whole, and Members of Congress as individuals, are in 
        unique positions to support the fight against prostate cancer, to help 
        raise public awareness about the need to make screening tests available 
        to all people at risk for prostate cancer, and to provide prostate 
        cancer patients with adequate information to assess the relative 
        benefits and risks of treatment options: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) national and community organizations and health care 
        providers have played a commendable role in supplying 
        information concerning the importance of screening for prostate 
        cancer and the treatment options for patients with prostate 
        cancer; and
            (2) the Federal Government and the States should ensure 
        that health care providers supply prostate cancer patients with 
        appropriate information and any other tools necessary for 
        prostate cancer patients to receive readily understandable 
        descriptions of the advantages, disadvantages, benefits, and 
        risks of all medically efficacious screening and treatments for 
        prostate cancer, including brachytherapy, hormonal treatments, 
        external beam radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and watchful 
        waiting.
                                 <all>