PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2594 PRINTER'S NO. 2629
No. 231 Session of 1995
INTRODUCED BY L. I. COHEN, LAUGHLIN, DEMPSEY, COY, PETTIT,
SANTONI, THOMAS, SATHER, DONATUCCI, CORNELL, BROWN,
STRITTMATTER, HESS, FARMER, NYCE, CURRY, GORDNER, YOUNGBLOOD,
STETLER, MARKOSEK, GIGLIOTTI, BEBKO-JONES, B. SMITH, ROBERTS,
FARGO, ARGALL, TRUE, WALKO, SCRIMENTI, MARSICO, McCALL,
MANDERINO, STERN, ITKIN, E. Z. TAYLOR, RAMOS, BROWNE, LEH,
CLYMER, ADOLPH, TANGRETTI, M. COHEN, KING, COLAFELLA,
BELARDI, PITTS, HERMAN, GEORGE, VANCE, SCHULER, FLEAGLE,
MELIO, KUKOVICH, STURLA, MASLAND, TIGUE, DENT, DiGIROLAMO,
McGEEHAN, CLARK, CORRIGAN, BAKER, SHANER, SAYLOR, BATTISTO,
ROONEY, RUBLEY, LEDERER, SCHRODER, DRUCE, FAJT, STABACK,
JOSEPHS, GLADECK, GODSHALL, MILLER, ZUG, HERSHEY, BARD,
EGOLF, PLATTS, GEIST, BOSCOLA, DERMODY, DeLUCA, MUNDY AND
ROHRER, OCTOBER 17, 1995
AS AMENDED, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OCTOBER 17, 1995
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging COMMENDING the Governor to proclaim FOR PROCLAIMING the <--
2 month of October 1995 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in
3 this Commonwealth and urging all citizens of this
4 Commonwealth to join in its observance by renewing their
5 awareness of the aspects of breast cancer and by becoming
6 knowledgeable about the most current medical developments
7 regarding this tragic disease.
8 WHEREAS, One out of eight women will develop breast cancer by
9 age 85; and
10 WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women
11 in Pennsylvania, accounting for more than 30% of all cancers in
12 women, and the breast cancer incidence rate for women has
13 increased about 2% per year since the early 1970's; and
14 WHEREAS, Between 1986 and 1990, a total of 12,824 women in
1 Pennsylvania alone lost their lives to breast cancer; and
2 WHEREAS, Three hundred men die of breast cancer in this
3 nation annually; and
4 WHEREAS, In 1989, the incidence rate of breast cancer was 6%
5 higher for blacks than for whites, and the mortality rate was
6 26% higher for blacks than for whites; and
7 WHEREAS, Breast cancer is a complex disease and efforts to
8 find the cause and cure have been unsuccessful; and
9 WHEREAS, Risk factors for developing breast cancer include
10 being 50 years of age or older; having a personal or family
11 history of breast cancer; giving birth for the first time after
12 passing the age of 30; not breast feeding; never giving birth;
13 and, according to some recently published medical theories,
14 having had an abortion, spontaneous or otherwise; and
15 WHEREAS, Research indicates that nutrition plays a role in
16 the onset of many types of cancer, including breast cancer, and
17 there is mounting medical evidence that a high-fat, low-fiber
18 diet can increase the risk of developing breast cancer;
19 therefore, individuals should maintain suitable diet and
20 exercise regimens to help maintain appropriate weight and body
21 fitness; and
22 WHEREAS, While there is no known way to prevent breast
23 cancer, early detection by clinical examination and yearly
24 mammography, especially for women 50 years of age and over,
25 followed with immediate treatment have increased the ratio
26 between the incidence rate and mortality rate; consequently,
27 they have, together, become a moderately successful way of
28 lessening the number of deaths from breast cancer; and
29 WHEREAS, The number of deaths due to breast cancer could be
30 much lower if more women would have mammograms beginning at age
19950H0231R2629 - 2 -
1 40 at one- or two-year intervals as currently recommended by the
2 medical profession; if each woman had annual breast examinations
3 by her regular physician; and if each woman practiced monthly
4 breast self-examination (BSE); and
5 WHEREAS, October 19, 1995, marks the first observance of
6 "National Mammography Day"; therefore be it
7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge COMMEND the <--
8 Governor to proclaim FOR PROCLAIMING the month of October 1995 <--
9 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in this Commonwealth; and be
10 it further
11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all citizens
12 of this Commonwealth to renew their awareness of the aspects of
13 breast cancer and to become knowledgeable about the most recent
14 medical developments regarding this tragic disease; and be it
15 further
16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
17 Governor Tom Ridge as soon as possible after its passage.
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