[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 323 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 323

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         June 22, 2006.
Whereas an estimated 12,400 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the year 
        2005;
Whereas cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age 
        15;
Whereas an estimated 2,300 children will die from cancer in the year 2005;
Whereas the incidence of cancer among children in the United States is rising by 
        about one percent each year;
Whereas 1 in every 330 Americans develops cancer before age 20;
Whereas approximately 8 percent of deaths of those between 1 and 19 years old 
        are caused by cancer;
Whereas while some progress has been made, a number of promising opportunities 
        for childhood cancer research still remain untapped;
Whereas limited resources for childhood cancer research can hinder the 
        recruitment of investigators and physicians to pediatric oncology;
Whereas peer-reviewed clinical trials are the standard of care for pediatrics 
        and have improved cancer survival rates among children;
Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancers continues to grow, with 
        about 1 in 640 adults between ages 20 to 39 who have a history of 
        cancer;
Whereas up to two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors are likely to experience 
        at least one late effect from treatment, many of which may be life-
        threatening;
Whereas some late effects of cancer treatment are identified early in follow-up 
        and are easily resolved, while others may become chronic problems in 
        adulthood and may have serious consequences; and
Whereas 89 percent of children with cancer experience substantial suffering in 
        the last month of life: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
Congress should support--
            (1) public and private sector efforts to promote awareness about the 
        incidence of cancer among children, the signs and symptoms of cancer in 
        children, treatment options, and long-term follow-up;
            (2) pediatric cancer research to improve prevention, diagnosis, 
        treatment, rehabilitation, post-treatment monitoring, and long-term 
        survival;
            (3) policies that encourage medical trainees and investigators to 
        enter the field of pediatric oncology;
            (4) policies that encourage the development of drugs and biologics 
        designed to treat pediatric cancers;
            (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials;
            (6) efforts to encourage the incorporation of pain management for 
        pediatric cancer patients into medical education curricula; and
            (7) policies that enhance education, services, and other resources 
        related to late effects from treatment.



            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.