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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death |
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among women under the age of 50 in the United States and the second |
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most common form of cancer among all women; and |
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WHEREAS, About one in eight American women will develop |
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invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, and |
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approximately 40,000 people, including some 440 men, die from |
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breast cancer each year; and |
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WHEREAS, Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV or |
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advanced breast cancer, occurs when the cancer spreads beyond the |
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breast to other parts of the body; anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of |
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patients initially diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will |
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develop metastatic breast cancer, which can occur many years after |
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their original diagnosis and successful treatment; and |
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WHEREAS, There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer; the |
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median survival rate after a positive diagnosis is only three |
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years, up from 18 months in 1970; and |
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WHEREAS, Although early detection and medical care play a |
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vital role in the fight against breast cancer, advanced-stage |
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breast cancer can spread quickly and inexplicably regardless of |
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treatment or preventive measures; tremendous therapeutic |
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advancements have been made, but the need for continued research is |
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crucial, as the number of annual breast cancer deaths has remained |
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virtually unchanged for the past 20 years; and |
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WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are currently between |
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150,000 and 250,000 individuals living with metastatic breast |
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cancer in the United States; many patients continue working, |
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raising families, and living life to the fullest, and with adequate |
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care, some survive 10 years or more beyond their diagnosis; and |
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WHEREAS, Across the Lone Star State and around the country, a |
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coalition consisting of patient advocates, nonprofits, academic |
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institutions, and other organizations is taking action to raise |
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awareness of the disease, to call attention to the need for more |
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research, and to highlight the importance of emotional and |
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workplace support in improving the quality of life for patients; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize October 13, 2017, as Metastatic Breast |
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Cancer Awareness Day in Texas and commend all those who are working |
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in behalf of those with metastatic breast cancer. |