110 HRES 1328 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of National U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1328 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 9, 2008 Mr. Platts (for himself and Mr. Cummings) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Whereas an estimated 37,680 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United States; Whereas pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States; Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of their diagnosis, and 95 percent die within 5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of any cancer; Whereas there has been no significant improvement in survival rates in over 30 years, and pancreatic cancer research is still in the earliest scientific stages; Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal treatment options for pancreatic cancer; Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic cancer generally present themselves, it is too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the average survival rate of those diagnosed with metastatic disease is only 3 to 6 months; Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 40 to 50 percent higher in African-Americans than in other ethnic groups; Whereas pancreatic cancer research constitutes less than 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s Federal research funding, a figure far too low given the severity of the disease, its mortality rate, and how little is known about how to arrest it; Whereas in 2001, the National Cancer Institute developed Pancreatic Cancer: An Agenda for Action, but 7 years later, only 5 of the action plan’s 39 recommendations have been fully implemented; Whereas pancreatic cancer death rates have increased and 250,000 more Americans have died from this disease; Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network recognized that science has advanced since 2001, and created the National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research to identify the highest research priorities, scientific infrastructure needs, and workforce training requirements that are needed to make true progress in pancreatic cancer research; and Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has requested that the Congress designate November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes that a strong, sustained commitment of resources is needed to learn what causes pancreatic cancer, ways to detect and diagnose it earlier, and test compounds that will extend survival and improve quality of life; and (2)supports the goals and ideals of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.