[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 415 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 415

  Expressing support for the designation of May as ``National Bladder 
                       Cancer Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 17, 2023

Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Mr. Aderholt, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Clarke of 
 New York, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. 
 Fitzpatrick, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Norton, Mr. Payne, 
   Ms. Porter, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms. Sewell, Mr. 
 Tonko, Mrs. Trahan, and Ms. Wild) submitted the following resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of May as ``National Bladder 
                       Cancer Awareness Month''.

Whereas increased public awareness and early treatment of bladder cancer will 
        save thousands of lives;
Whereas more than 800,000 families in the United States live with bladder 
        cancer;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 82,290 people in the United States, or 
        over 230 Americans every day, will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 
        2023, including over 62,420 men and 19,870 women;
Whereas it is estimated that bladder cancer will kill more than 16,710 Americans 
        this year alone;
Whereas the bladder cancer diagnosis rate is expected to increase by 1.35 
        percent in 2023, while many other forms of cancer are projected to 
        decline;
Whereas bladder cancer can directly impact all people, regardless of age, sex, 
        and race;
Whereas bladder cancer is among the top 7 most diagnosed cancers in the United 
        States, and the top 4 most commonly diagnosed cancers for our honored 
        veterans;
Whereas, if diagnosed early, bladder cancer is highly treatable, but 
        survivability rates decrease substantially with later detection;
Whereas smoking and environmental or occupational exposure to carcinomic 
        chemicals are the top causes of bladder cancer;
Whereas studies have shown a higher level of bladder cancer in firefighters, 
        veterans, and senior citizens than in the general public;
Whereas bladder cancer symptoms, such as blood in the urine, are easily 
        recognized, however, many Americans are unaware of the warning signs and 
        often put off diagnostic testing and treatment;
Whereas bladder cancer is known as one of the most expensive cancers to treat on 
        a per patient basis and has a reoccurrence rate of approximately 50 to 
        80 percent, requiring lifelong surveillance;
Whereas, while bladder cancer is more prevalent in men, women are commonly 
        diagnosed at a later stage and face a worse prognosis even when 
        diagnosed at the same stage as men;
Whereas there have been limited significant breakthroughs in the past 30 years 
        to advance the treatment of and move toward a cure for bladder cancer;
Whereas the quality of life and chance of survival for a bladder cancer patient 
        depends largely on new advancements and a renewed focus on research from 
        both the Federal Government and private industry;
Whereas increased awareness for bladder cancer will promote earlier diagnosis 
        and increased chances of survival;
Whereas, in 2023, Congress will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
        dramatically increase bladder cancer treatments for the Nation's 
        veterans, living up to the promise the Nation made decades ago;
Whereas based on the Nation's experience diagnosing and caring for Vietnam 
        veterans exposed to carcinogenic chemicals such as Agent Orange and 
        Agent Blue, efforts are underway to document current servicemembers' 
        exposure to burn pits;
Whereas the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, working 
        concurrently with the National Institutes of Health, annually fund the 
        high-risk, high-reward, research required to one day discover a cure for 
        bladder cancer;
Whereas traditionally throughout May, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones 
        unite for walks in communities across the United States to raise 
        awareness for bladder cancer along with funds for bladder cancer 
        research;
Whereas the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network has worked for more than 18 years to 
        raise public awareness for bladder cancer while providing patients with 
        the knowledge, resources, and support they need to navigate their 
        personal bladder cancer journey;
Whereas the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network annually funds cutting edge research 
        in search of better treatments and a final cure for bladder cancer while 
        working every day to raise public awareness, support patients, and 
        increase research; and
Whereas May would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National Bladder 
        Cancer Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Bladder Cancer 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Bladder 
        Cancer Awareness Month''; and
            (3) calls on the people of the United States, interested 
        groups, the research community, and affected persons to--
                    (A) promote awareness of bladder cancer and foster 
                understanding of the impact of the disease on patients, 
                their families, caregivers, and their community;
                    (B) take an active role in the fight to end bladder 
                cancer; and
                    (C) observe ``National Bladder Cancer Awareness 
                Month'' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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