[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 167 (Monday, November 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 348--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC 
                         CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. CASEY (for himself; Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Specter, Mr. 
Cardin, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Bayh, and Mr. 
Begich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 348

       Whereas approximately 42,470 people will be diagnosed with 
     pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
       Whereas pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause 
     of cancer death in the United States and the tenth most 
     commonly diagnosed cancer;
       Whereas 76 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within 
     the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive 
     more than 5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest 
     form of any major cancer;
       Whereas the number of new pancreatic cancer cases is 
     projected to increase by 12 percent this year and by 55 
     percent by 2030;
       Whereas there has been no significant improvement in 
     survival rates for pancreatic cancer during the last 30 
     years;
       Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal 
     treatment options for pancreatic cancer;
       Whereas the symptoms of pancreatic cancer generally present 
     themselves too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the 
     average survival rate of individuals diagnosed with 
     metastatic pancreatic cancer is only 3 to 6 months;
       Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 50 
     percent higher for African-Americans than for other ethnic 
     groups; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to observe November 2009 as 
     Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to educate communities 
     across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for 
     research funding, early detection methods, effective 
     treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

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