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






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 323

 Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, 
                             and research.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 15, 2005

 Ms. Pryce of Ohio (for herself, Mr. Dreier, Mrs. Myrick, Mrs. Capps, 
Mr. Israel, Mr. Cannon, Mr. Bachus, Mr. Sessions, Mr. McCaul of Texas, 
 Mr. Doyle, Mr. Schwarz of Michigan, Mr. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, 
 and Mr. Bishop of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which 
          was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, 
                             and research.

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 opportunities for 
        childhood cancer research still remain unfunded or underfunded;
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) increased public and private investment in childhood 
        cancer research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, 
        rehabilitation, post-treatment monitoring, and long-term 
        survival;
            (3) policies that provide incentives to encourage medical 
        trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric 
        oncology;
            (4) policies that provide incentives to encourage the 
        development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric 
        cancers;
            (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical 
        trials;
            (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain 
        management for cancer patients; and
            (7) policies that enhance education, services, and other 
        resources related to late effects from treatment.
                                 <all>