Whereas an estimated 9,000 children under the age of 15
will be diagnosed with cancer in the year 2007;
Whereas oncology, the study of cancer and tumors, has made
significant progress in the prevention, treatment, and prognosis of many
childhood cancers;
Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancer
continues to grow, with about 1 in 640 adults between the ages of 20 and 39
having a history of cancer;
Whereas despite this progress, cancer is the chief cause
of death by disease in children under age 15, and the fourth leading cause of
death in children ages 1 to 19;
Whereas childhood cancer varies from adult cancers in
development, treatment, response to therapy, tolerance of therapy, and
prognosis;
Whereas, in most cases, childhood cancer is more
responsive to therapy, the child can tolerate more aggressive therapy, and the
prognosis is better;
Whereas extraordinary progress has been made in improving
the cure rates for childhood cancers, but this progress involves varying
degrees of risks for both acute and chronic toxicities;
Whereas many childhood cancer survivors and their families
have courageously won the fight against cancer, but continue to be challenged
in their attempt to regain quality of life, and will never fully return to
their pre-cancer life;
Whereas half of all childhood cancer survivors have
long-term learning problems as a result of their cancer or the treatment of
their cancer;
Whereas the prolonged absences or reduced energy levels
that frequently occur during treatment may contribute to difficulties for a
child;
Whereas recent scientific reports indicate that treatment
for cancer during childhood or adolescence may affect cognitive and educational
progress due to neurotoxic agents (such as chemotherapy or radiation);
Whereas cancer that may spread to the brain or spinal cord
requires therapy that can sometimes affect cognition, attention and processing
speed, memory, and other learning abilities;
Whereas children with brain tumors, tumors involving the
eye or ear, acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma face a
higher risk of developing educational difficulties;
Whereas the educational challenges of a childhood cancer
survivor may appear years after treatment is completed and are frequently
misdiagnosed or ignored all together;
Whereas few educators are aware of the educational late
effects related to cancer treatment;
Whereas childhood cancer survivors and their parents
deserve and need neuropsychological testing to help them achieve academic
success and have productive, hopeful futures;
Whereas some progress has been made, but a number of
opportunities for childhood cancer research still remain underfunded;
and
Whereas increased recognition and awareness of
neuropsychological testing for childhood cancer survivors can have a
significant impact on the education and ultimately the quality of life and
productivity of people with childhood cancer: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate
that the United States Government should—
(1)support
neuropsychological research and testing of childhood cancer survivors and their
families;
(2)work with health
care providers, educators, and childhood cancer advocacy and education
organizations to encourage neuropsychological testing;
(3)recognize and
reaffirm the commitment of the United States to fighting childhood cancer by
promoting awareness about the causes, risks, prevention, and treatment of
childhood cancer;
(4)promote new
education programs about, research of, and expanded medical treatment for
childhood cancer survivors;
(5)support research
and expanded public-private partnerships to improve post-cancer life for
childhood cancer survivors; and
(6)encourage the
early diagnosis and access to high-quality care for childhood cancer patients
and survivors.