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PRINTER'S NO. 2162
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
428
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY FABRIZIO, BAKER, TOOHIL, DiGIROLAMO, DeLUCA,
HENNESSEY, WATSON, R. BROWN, DUSH, DAVIS, SONNEY, FREEMAN,
WARD, LONGIETTI, READSHAW, SCHWEYER, BOBACK, SCHLOSSBERG,
BULLOCK, MILLARD, ROEBUCK, BIZZARRO, GOODMAN, DEASY,
V. BROWN, STURLA, FITZGERALD, ROZZI, EVERETT, MURT, KORTZ,
NEILSON, PYLE, PASHINSKI, SAYLOR AND GILLEN, JUNE 28, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 28, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of July 2017 as "National Sarcoma
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urging the residents of
this Commonwealth to support the efforts, programs, services
and organizations that work to enhance research and awareness
of sarcoma.
WHEREAS, Sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in the
connective tissues, such as nerves, muscles, joints, fat, bones
and blood vessels; and
WHEREAS, Sarcomas can arise anywhere in the body; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Cancer Institute, more
than 13,000 new cases of soft tissue and bone sarcoma are
diagnosed each year in the United States, and each year
approximately 4,400 people die from soft tissue sarcoma and
approximately 1,400 people die from bone sarcoma; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Cancer Institute, the
five-year relative survival rate for bone and soft tissue
sarcoma is approximately 66%; and
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WHEREAS, There are two main types of sarcomas, bone sarcoma
and soft tissue sarcoma, which are further subclassified based
on the type of presumed cell of origin found in the tumor; and
WHEREAS, More than 50 subtypes of sarcomas have been
identified; and
WHEREAS, Sarcomas can develop in children and adults and more
men than women develop soft tissue sarcoma; and
WHEREAS, One percent of the cancers diagnosed in adults and
15% of cancers diagnosed in children each year are sarcomas; and
WHEREAS, Sarcomas are more common in adolescents and young
adults than most other cancers and, as a result, the number of
years of life lost to sarcomas is substantial, despite their
relatively low incidence; and
WHEREAS, Given that sarcomas can be difficult to distinguish
from other malignancies when they are found within organs,
sarcoma incidence is probably underestimated; and
WHEREAS, At the onset, soft tissue sarcoma rarely causes any
symptoms, and because soft tissue is very elastic, the tumors
can grow quite large before being detected; and
WHEREAS, As the tumor grows and begins to press against the
nerves and muscles, pain and soreness can occur; and
WHEREAS, No modifiable risk factors for sarcoma have been
identified; and
WHEREAS, It is not clear why some individuals develop
sarcoma; however, researchers have been able to identify some
common characteristics in groups with a high rate of soft tissue
sarcoma; and
WHEREAS, Studies have shown that individuals exposed to
phenoxyacetic acid found in herbicides and chlorophenols found
in wood preservative have an increased risk of soft tissue
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sarcoma; and
WHEREAS, The standard treatments for soft tissue sarcoma
include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy; and
WHEREAS, Patients with bone sarcoma and uterine sarcoma may
receive samarium and hormone therapy, respectively; and
WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute recognizes that
sarcoma is often misdiagnosed and underreported; and
WHEREAS, For this reason, the National Cancer Institute, the
Sarcoma Alliance, the Sarcoma Foundation of America and other
organizations are working to promote sarcoma awareness and
support programs to improve education, knowledge, research and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Continued coordination and cooperation among
researchers, families and the public is needed to improve
prognoses for individuals who battle sarcoma; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of July 2017 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge the residents of this Commonwealth to
support the efforts, programs, services and organizations that
work to enhance research and awareness of sarcoma.
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