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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 416
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WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer |
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deaths among women under the age of 50 in the United States and |
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the second 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 |
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or advanced breast cancer, occurs when the cancer spreads beyond |
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the breast to other parts of the body; anywhere from 20 to 30 |
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percent of patients initially diagnosed with early-stage breast |
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cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer, which can occur |
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many years after their original diagnosis and successful |
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treatments; 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, which is 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 |
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is crucial, as the number of annual breast cancer deaths has |
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remained 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 |
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adequate care, some survive 10 years or more beyond their |
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diagnosis; and |
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WHEREAS, Across the Lone Star State and around the country, |
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a coalition consisting of patient advocates, nonprofits, |
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academic institutions, and other organizations is taking action |
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to raise awareness of the disease, to call attention to the need |
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for more research, and to highlight the importance of emotional |
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and workplace support in improving the quality of life for |
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patients; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize October 13, 2017, as Metastatic |
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Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Texas and commend all those who |
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are working on behalf of people with metastatic breast cancer. |
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Campbell |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 14, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |