[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2941-S2942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 531--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MAY 
            2018 AS ``NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Markey, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Van Hollen) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 531

       Whereas an estimated 78,980 new cases of primary and non-
     malignant tumors in the brain and central nervous system are 
     expected to be diagnosed in the United States during calendar 
     year 2018;
       Whereas up to 500,000 individuals were diagnosed with 
     metastatic brain tumors that were the result of cancer 
     spreading from another part of the body to the brain in 2016;
       Whereas pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of 
     death from cancer in children under the age of 19;
       Whereas the average survival rate in the United States for 
     all malignant brain tumor patients is only 34.9 percent;
       Whereas an estimated 16,616 people in the United States 
     will lose their battle with a primary brain tumor during 
     calendar year 2018;
       Whereas brain tumors may be malignant or benign, but can be 
     life-threatening in either case;
       Whereas nearly 700,000 people in the United States are 
     currently living with a brain tumor;
       Whereas treatment of brain tumors is complicated by the 
     fact that there are more than 130 different types of tumors;
       Whereas the treatment and removal of brain tumors present 
     significant challenges because of the uniquely complex and 
     fragile nature of the brain;
       Whereas brain tumors affect the primary organ in the human 
     body that not only controls cognitive ability, but the 
     actions of every other organ and limb in the body, leading to 
     brain tumors being described as a disease that affects the 
     whole individual;
       Whereas brain tumor research is supported by a number of 
     private, nonprofit research foundations, and by institutes at 
     the National Institutes of Health, including the National 
     Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Neurological 
     Disorders and Stroke;
       Whereas basic research advances may fuel research and 
     development of new treatments for brain tumors;
       Whereas there remain challenging obstacles to the 
     development of new treatments for brain tumors, and there are 
     no strategies for screening or early detection of brain 
     tumors;
       Whereas, despite the number of people newly diagnosed with 
     a brain tumor every year, and their devastating prognoses, 
     there have only been 4 drugs and 1 device approved by the 
     Food and Drug Administration to treat brain tumors during the 
     preceding 30 years;
       Whereas the mortality rates associated with brain tumors 
     have changed little during the past 30 years;
       Whereas there is a need for greater public awareness of 
     brain tumors, including the difficulties associated with 
     research on those tumors and the opportunities for advances 
     in brain tumor research and treatment; and
       Whereas May 2018, when brain tumor advocates nationwide 
     unite in awareness, outreach, and advocacy activities, is an 
     appropriate month to recognize as ``National Brain Tumor 
     Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of May 2018 as ``National 
     Brain Tumor Awareness Month'';
       (2) encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors 
     to honor those who have lost their lives to that devastating 
     disease or are currently living with a brain tumor diagnosis;
       (3) supports efforts to develop better treatments for brain 
     tumors that will improve the quality of life and the long-
     term prognosis of those individuals diagnosed with a brain 
     tumor;
       (4) expresses its support for those individuals who are 
     battling brain tumors, as well as the families, friends, and 
     caregivers of those individuals; and
       (5) urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research, 
     which is a promising means of advancing understanding of, and 
     treatment for, brain tumors.


[[Page S2942]]


  

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I am glad to introduce a resolution to 
designate May 2018 ``National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.'' It is my 
hope that this resolution will show our support for the patients 
battling brain tumors, as well as their families, and friends who fight 
alongside them. It is estimated that 78,980 new cases of primary and 
non-malignant tumors in the brain and central nervous system will be 
diagnosed and 16,616 people in the United States will lose their battle 
with a primary brain tumor this year alone. This resolution will 
increase public awareness and honor those who have suffered, or are 
suffering from a brain tumor, while encouraging researchers to redouble 
their efforts in the search for a cure. I thank Senator Markey and our 
bipartisan colleagues for their support for this important cause.

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