1Recognizing April 13 through 19, 2014, as "National Minority
2Cancer Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute defines cancer health
4disparities as the difference in the incidence, prevalence,
5mortality and burden of cancer and adverse related conditions
6that exist among specific population groups in the United
7States; and

8WHEREAS, Cancer affects different populations differently,
9and minority groups in the United States continue to bear a
10greater cancer burden than nonminorities; and

11WHEREAS, Overall, minority populations have a higher
12incidence of cancer and a higher death rate; and

13WHEREAS, According to the American Society of Clinical
14Oncology (ASCO), African Americans are less likely than
15Caucasians to survive five years after being diagnosed with most

1forms of cancer, at any stage of diagnosis; and

2WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is
3the leading cause of death for Hispanics in the United States,
4accounting for 21% of all deaths and 15% of deaths in children;
5and

6WHEREAS, According to the ASCO, stomach cancer incidence
7rates are at least 70% higher in Hispanic men than in non-
8Hispanic Caucasian men and more than double for Hispanic women
9than non-Hispanic Caucasian women; and

10WHEREAS, According to the Intercultural Cancer Council,
11Native American/Alaskan Natives, as compared to Caucasians, are
12more threatened by less common cancers, such as cancers of the
13liver, kidney, stomach, gallbladder and cervix; and

14WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Health
15and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, Pacific
16Islanders/ Native Hawaiians are 30% more likely to be diagnosed
17with cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians; and

18WHEREAS, Diagnosis of cancer is often delayed in minorities
19for a variety of reasons, including low screening rates and
20access to care; and

21WHEREAS, Getting regular cancer screening tests, controlling
22weight, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and
23quitting smoking are all manageable steps to help lower the risk
24of developing cancer; therefore be it

25RESLOVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April
2613 through 19, 2014, as "National Minority Cancer Awareness
27Week" in Pennsylvania.