[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 325 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 325

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 21, 2007

Mr. Isakson (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Salazar, Mr. 
  Chambliss, and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following resolution; 
 which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

                           September 25, 2007

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


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

Whereas an estimated 12,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year;
Whereas cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age 
        15;
Whereas an estimated 2,300 children die from cancer each year;
Whereas the incidence of cancer among children in the United States is rising by 
        about 1 percent each year;
Whereas 1 in every 330 people in the United States develops cancer before age 
        20;
Whereas approximately 8 percent of deaths of individuals 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 the field of pediatric 
        oncology;
Whereas the results of peer-reviewed clinical trials have helped to raise the 
        standard of care for pediatrics and have improved cancer survival rates 
        among children;
Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancers continues to increase, with 
        about 1 in 640 adults between ages 20 to 39 having a history of cancer;
Whereas up to \2/3\ of childhood cancer survivors are likely to experience at 
        least 1 late effect from treatment, 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 have serious consequences; and
Whereas 89 percent of children with terminal cancer experience substantial 
        suffering in the last month of life: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should 
support--
            (1) public and private sector efforts to promote awareness 
        about--
                    (A) the incidence of cancer among children;
                    (B) the signs and symptoms of cancer in children; 
                and
                    (C) options for the treatment of, and long-term 
                follow-up for, childhood cancers;
            (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;
            (7) policies that enhance education, services, and other 
        resources related to late effects from treatment; and
            (8) grassroots efforts to promote awareness and support 
        research for cures for childhood cancer.
                                 <all>