[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 253 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 253

 Supporting the designation of May 2021 as ``National Cancer Research 
                                Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 27, 2021

  Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Hyde-
   Smith, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
 Cramer, and Mr. Rounds) submitted the following resolution; which was 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the designation of May 2021 as ``National Cancer Research 
                                Month''.

Whereas, in 2021, in the United States--

    (1) cancer remains one of the most pressing public health concerns;

    (2) an estimated 1,898,160 individuals are expected to be diagnosed 
with cancer; and

    (3) an estimated 608,570 individuals are expected to die from cancer;

Whereas 39 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their 
        lifetime;
Whereas cancer in the United States--

    (1) as of the date of adoption of this resolution, is the second most 
common cause of disease-related death; and

    (2) may become the primary cause of disease-related death;

Whereas the incidence of cancer is expected to grow significantly, reaching 
        2,300,000 cases per year by 2030;
Whereas racial and ethnic minorities, as well as low-income, rural, and elderly 
        populations, continue to suffer disproportionately in cancer incidence, 
        prevalence, and mortality;
Whereas the term ``cancer'' refers to more than 100 diseases that collectively 
        represent, in the United States--

    (1) the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 85;

    (2) the second leading cause of death for all individuals; and

    (3) the leading cause of disease-related death among children ages 1 to 
14;

Whereas the most recent projection indicates that the overall cancer-attributed 
        costs to the United States would increase more than 30 percent between 
        2015 and 2030 to a cost of more than $245,000,000,000;
Whereas the investment the United States has made in cancer research has--

    (1) yielded substantial advances in cancer research and cancer 
treatment; and

    (2) has saved and improved millions of lives;

Whereas advancements in understanding the causes, mechanisms, diagnoses, 
        treatment, and prevention of cancer have--

    (1) led to cures for many types of cancer; and

    (2) converted other, non-curable types of cancer into manageable 
chronic conditions;

Whereas the 5-year survival rate for all types of cancer was more than 67 
        percent between 2011 and 2017;
Whereas more than 16,900,000 survivors of cancer were living in the United 
        States in 2019;
Whereas therapies and effective screening tools for some types of cancer remain 
        elusive, and some cancers, including pancreatic, liver, lung, ovarian, 
        and brain cancer, continue to have--

    (1) extraordinarily high mortality rates; and

    (2) 5-year survival rates, for all stages of cancer combined, that are 
typically less than 50 percent;

Whereas partnerships among research scientists, the general public, survivors of 
        cancer, patient advocates, philanthropic organizations, industry, and 
        Federal, State, and local governments have led to advanced breakthroughs 
        for patients with cancer, including early detection tools that have 
        increased survival rates and a better quality of life for survivors of 
        cancer;
Whereas precision medicine holds great promise in treating many forms of cancer;
Whereas researchers have learned a substantial amount about cancer diagnoses, 
        treatment, and prevention from the 8 percent of patients who enroll in 
        clinical trials;
Whereas clinical trials are a key part of medical research, and inclusive 
        clinical trials with diverse participation among gender, racial, and 
        ethnic populations--

    (1) are important in achieving a comprehensive analysis of cancer; and

    (2) lead to more effective treatments that improve health outcomes and 
reduce health disparities;

Whereas advances in cancer research have had significant implications for the 
        development of COVID-19 vaccines and the treatment of other costly 
        diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and 
        HIV/AIDS;
Whereas 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971 
        (Public Law 92-218; 85 Stat. 778), which created the National Cancer 
        Program and strengthened the National Cancer Institute (referred to in 
        this preamble as the ``NCI'') in leading the mission of the United 
        States to conquer cancer; and
Whereas the NCI--

    (1) serves as an incubator for preeminent cancer researchers;

    (2) has created 71 NCI-designated cancer centers; and

    (3) awards research grants for projects that will lead to innovative 
treatments and groundbreaking cures: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of May 2021 as ``National 
        Cancer Research Month'';
            (2) recognizes the importance of cancer research and the 
        invaluable contributions of cancer researchers in the United 
        States and around the world who are dedicated to the conquest 
        of eliminating cancer; and
            (3) continues to support cancer research as a national and 
        international priority to eventually eliminate the more than 
        100 diseases that are referred to as cancer.
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