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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of |
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cancer deaths in Texas, and it is estimated that over the next |
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decade, as many as 100,000 men and women will be diagnosed with the |
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disease, resulting in some 40,000 deaths; and |
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WHEREAS, This type of cancer most commonly begins as a polyp, |
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or a growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the |
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center of the colon or rectum over a period of several years; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not |
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known, risk factors include age--people over 50 are at greater |
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risk--a previous history or family history of colorectal cancer, a |
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history of polyps or of bowel disease, certain ethnic backgrounds |
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and races, a diet high in fat, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol, |
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and diabetes; approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancer cases |
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and deaths are thought to be preventable; and |
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WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends that people |
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with average risk get regular screening tests after the age of 50 |
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and that those with a history of colorectal cancer in their families |
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seek advice from their doctors about detecting it early; in spite of |
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the great benefit of screening, however, only about 40 percent of |
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Texans above the age of 50 report having one of the recommended |
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tests within the past five years; and |
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WHEREAS, Texans can reduce the risks associated with |
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colorectal cancer by educating themselves on prevention methods, |
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such as lifestyle changes, and by seeking early detection, and the |
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dedication of a specific year to draw attention to this disease can |
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only serve to aid this worthy cause; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the year 2007 as Colon Cancer |
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Prevention and Awareness Year in Texas and encourage all Texans to |
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educate themselves on colorectal cancer and take necessary |
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precautions to reduce their risk of this disease. |
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Jones |
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Heflin |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2526 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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