By: Bivins S.C.R. No. 71 99S1270/1 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.