[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 148 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 148

 Expressing support for the designation of ``National Multiple Myeloma 
                           Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 17, 2017

 Mr. Higgins of New York submitted the following resolution; which was 
      referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of ``National Multiple Myeloma 
                           Awareness Month''.

Whereas multiple myeloma (or myeloma) is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone 
        marrow and is called ``multiple'' because the cancer can occur at 
        various sites in the body;
Whereas multiple myeloma causes a variety of adverse health effects, including a 
        weakened immune system, anemia, kidney damage, and bone deterioration;
Whereas multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer worldwide;
Whereas multiple myeloma currently affects more than 100,000 people in the 
        United States, with about 30,330 new diagnoses and 12,650 deaths from 
        the disease occurring in 2016, according to the Surveillance, 
        Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute;
Whereas although multiple myeloma has been and continues to be most frequently 
        diagnosed among those 65 and over, the disease is increasingly being 
        diagnosed in younger individuals, including those in their 30s, 40s and 
        50s;
Whereas multiple myeloma is almost twice as likely to occur among African-
        Americans and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among 
        African-Americans, with scientific understanding of the disparity 
        remaining unknown;
Whereas although the cause of multiple myeloma remains unknown, robust research 
        is being performed in the United States and internationally into 
        potential genetic, environmental, and other risk factors;
Whereas additional new drugs and therapies are in the research phase, with 
        patient enrollment in clinical trials playing an important role in 
        determining safe and effective treatments;
Whereas understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma has been greatly 
        furthered by advocacy initiatives promoting awareness, education, 
        research, peer review, and collaboration and such efforts are to be 
        highly commended;
Whereas greater awareness of multiple myeloma among clinicians and the public 
        can lead to earlier detection and treatment, improving health outcomes 
        and bringing comfort to patients and their families; and
Whereas March would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National Multiple 
        Myeloma Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of ``National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month'' to 
increase public knowledge of the disease and advance the vision of 
finding a cure for multiple myeloma.
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