[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5800-S5801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 575--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2014 AS ``NATIONAL 
                   PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Moran, Mrs. 
Boxer, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
Markey, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Wyden, 
and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 575

       Whereas over 2,900,000 families in the United States live 
     with prostate cancer;
       Whereas 1 in 7 males in the United States will be diagnosed 
     with prostate cancer in their lifetimes;
       Whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-
     skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related 
     deaths among males in the United States;
       Whereas the National Cancer Institute estimates that, in 
     2014, 233,000 men will be diagnosed with, and more than 
     29,000 men will die of, prostate cancer;
       Whereas 40 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases 
     occur in males under the age of 65;
       Whereas approximately every 7.5 seconds, a male in the 
     United States turns 50 years old and increases his odds of 
     developing cancer, including prostate cancer;
       Whereas African-American males suffer from a prostate 
     cancer incidence rate that is up to 60 percent higher than 
     that for white males and have double the prostate cancer 
     mortality rate than that of white males;
       Whereas obesity is a significant predictor of the severity 
     of prostate cancer;
       Whereas the probability that obesity will lead to death and 
     high cholesterol levels is strongly associated with advanced 
     prostate cancer;

[[Page S5801]]

       Whereas males in the United States with 1 family member 
     diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 33 percent chance of 
     being diagnosed with the disease, males with 2 close family 
     members diagnosed have an 83 percent chance, and males with 3 
     family members diagnosed have a 97 percent chance;
       Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a 
     prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease 
     in the early stages, increasing the chances of survival for 
     more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent;
       Whereas only 33 percent of males survive more than 5 years 
     if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has 
     metastasized;
       Whereas there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer 
     while it is in the early stages, making screening critical;
       Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in 
     prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment; 
     and
       Whereas educating people in the United States, including 
     health care providers, about prostate cancer and early 
     detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of males 
     and preserving and protecting families: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2014 as ``National Prostate Cancer 
     Awareness Month'';
       (2) declares that steps should be taken--
       (A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening 
     methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer;
       (B) to increase research funding to a level that is 
     commensurate with the burden of prostate cancer, so that--
       (i) screening and treatment for prostate cancer may be 
     improved;
       (ii) the causes of prostate cancer may be discovered; and
       (iii) a cure for prostate cancer may be developed; and
       (C) to continue to consider ways for improving access to, 
     and the quality of, health care services for detecting and 
     treating prostate cancer; and
       (3) calls on the people of the United States, interest 
     groups, and affected persons--
       (A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer;
       (B) to take an active role in the fight to end the 
     devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, 
     families, and the economy; and
       (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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