1Recognizing May 2014 as "Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, In 2013, more than 3,900 people were diagnosed with
4bladder cancer and 800 people are estimated to have died from
5the disease in Pennsylvania; and

6WHEREAS, More than 500,000 individuals throughout the United
7States live with bladder cancer; and

8WHEREAS, Bladder cancer affects people of all ages and
9backgrounds and is among the top ten cancers with the highest
10incidence rates in the United States, with Pennsylvania ranked
11fifth in the United States in new cases of bladder cancer
12diagnosed in 2013; and

13WHEREAS, Bladder cancer is known as one of the most expensive
14cancers to treat on a per-patient basis with a recurrence rate

1of approximately 50% to 80% requiring lifelong surveillance; and

2WHEREAS, Bladder cancer symptoms, such as blood in urine, are
3easily recognized; however, many are unaware of the threat of
4bladder cancer, which often delays diagnosis and treatment; and

5WHEREAS, If diagnosed early, bladder cancer is treatable; and

6WHEREAS, If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the life
7expectancy of an individual with bladder cancer decreases; and

8WHEREAS, Military veterans are more likely than nonveterans
9to be diagnosed with bladder cancer; and

10WHEREAS, Women are often diagnosed at a later stage in the
11development of bladder cancer, and when diagnosed at the same
12stage as men, women have a worse prognosis; and

13WHEREAS, The quality of life of a person with bladder cancer
14will depend on future treatment and diagnostic developments,
15which will rely on research advancements; and

16WHEREAS, There have been no new treatments developed for
17bladder cancer in more than 20 years; and

18WHEREAS, A lack of awareness about bladder cancer within the
19medical community and general public has limited research
20advancements for the disease; and

21WHEREAS, Increased awareness will promote early diagnosis and
22increase chances of survival; and

23WHEREAS, Increased awareness will bolster public support for
24treating the disease and will lead to increased funding for
25innovative research and the development of new treatment options
26and diagnostic tools; and

27WHEREAS, Traditionally on the first Saturday in May,
28survivors, caregivers and loved ones walk together throughout
29the United States to raise awareness of bladder cancer; and

30WHEREAS, The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and its

1community of patients, caregivers and specialists seek to foster
2a community of hope and support, fund and conduct research for
3innovative treatments and diagnostic tools and increase public
4awareness and understanding of bladder cancer; therefore be it

5RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May
62014 as "Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be
7it further

8RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the goals
9and ideals of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month; and be it further

10RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on the
11people of this Commonwealth to promote awareness of bladder
12cancer, foster an understanding of the impact of the disease,
13take an active role in the fight to end bladder cancer and
14observe Bladder Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate
15ceremonies and activities.