By:  Bivins, et al.                                   S.C.R. No. 71
                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, Acknowledging that pancreatic  cancer is a disease
 1-2     that afflicts many Texans and Americans each year, the Texas
 1-3     Legislature designates November, 1999, as Pancreatic Cancer
 1-4     Awareness Month; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Despite its relative rareness, pancreatic cancer
 1-6     claims many lives; 13,900 men and 14,700 women will die of
 1-7     pancreatic cancer in 1999, which makes it the fourth-leading cause
 1-8     of cancer death among Americans; in Texas, the disease is
 1-9     responsible for 1,900 deaths; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Experts are not yet certain of this serious malady's
1-11     causes, though researchers have managed to associate some
1-12     activities with an increased incidence of pancreatic cancer; in
1-13     particular, links have been made with the following activities and
1-14     conditions: cigarette smoking, long-term exposure to certain
1-15     chemical carcinogens, and a diet which is high in fat and low in
1-16     fruits and vegetables; a person's genetic susceptibility and age
1-17     are also thought to affect his or her likelihood of developing the
1-18     disease; pancreatic cancer is particularly prevalent among
1-19     diabetics; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Pancreatic cancer gives few early warning signs;
1-21     patients often wait until their symptoms worsen before seeking
1-22     help, which allows their condition to exacerbate; currently, there
1-23     are no blood tests or other screening tests that can accurately
1-24     detect early cancers of the pancreas; those who feel they are at
 2-1     risk for pancreatic cancer, or are experiencing lower back and
 2-2     stomach pain, should immediately consult their physician; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, The survival rates of this disease are discouraging
 2-4     and attest to the grimness of this particular cancer; approximately
 2-5     18 percent of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer survive at
 2-6     least one year after diagnosis, and only four percent survive five
 2-7     years after diagnosis; when surgery is performed to remove
 2-8     cancerous cells from the pancreas, the five-year survival rate is
 2-9     about 20 percent; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Pancreatic cancer is certainly a disease that merits
2-11     the attention and resources of our Texas communities; it is hoped
2-12     that by designating November, 1999, as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
2-13     Month, the public will become more informed about the
2-14     life-threatening consequences of this dreadful disease; now,
2-15     therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-17     hereby recognize November, 1999, as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
2-18     Month and commend the organizers of this initiative on their noble
2-19     efforts to promote Texans' health; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared to
2-21     commemorate this valuable public service.