PRINTER'S NO. 2913
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
720
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY OBERLANDER, SCHLEGEL CULVER, MILLARD, CUTLER,
V. BROWN, BOBACK, BENNINGHOFF, HENNESSEY, MURT, BIZZARRO,
SAINATO, READSHAW, COHEN, BAKER, R. BROWN, ROZZI, KILLION,
SONNEY, DUSH, WHEELAND, THOMAS, DiGIROLAMO, KIRKLAND, KIM,
HELM, MAJOR, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, HARHART, LONGIETTI,
PICKETT, FREEMAN, KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHWEYER, VEREB,
DONATUCCI, ROSS, SCHLOSSBERG, REGAN, GOODMAN, HAHN, PAYNE,
QUIGLEY, MARSICO, GROVE, GILLEN, EVERETT, WATSON, BRADFORD,
GINGRICH AND MILNE, MARCH 10, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 10, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2016 as "Esophageal Cancer
Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 17,000 people will be
diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the United States in 2016,
and more than 15,000 will die from the disease; and
WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is among the deadliest cancers:
fewer than one in five patients will survive for five years; and
WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is often not detected and
diagnosed until the disease has reached the later stages, when
treatment is often radical, likely to cause complications and
the outcomes are poor; and
WHEREAS, In the past, when esophageal cancer was detected
early, open esophagectomy was associated with a high mortality
rate and a prolonged length of stay and recovery; and
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WHEREAS, Recent advances in surgery and critical care have
allowed centers of excellence in selected academic hospitals to
perform minimally invasive esophagectomy with excellent
outcomes, low risk of death and earlier return to activities of
daily living; and
WHEREAS, One of the most common causes of esophageal cancer
is heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is
viewed by many sufferers as an acceptable condition of life; and
WHEREAS, GERD can lead to Barrett's esophagus, which results
in as much as a 125% increase in a person's chance of developing
esophageal cancer; and
WHEREAS, With monitoring and treatment of GERD, the potential
for long-term irreversible damage leading to esophageal cancer
can be avoided; and
WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer can even occur without reflux
symptoms, history of smoking or excessive alcohol use; and
WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is among the cancers that receive
the least amount of Federal medical research funding; and
WHEREAS, The health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians will
be enhanced by improving esophageal cancer awareness, prevention
and increased research funding into early detection and
treatment strategies; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of April 2016 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and
Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
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