SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 453

WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men; and

WHEREAS, One in every nine men is diagnosed with prostate cancer over the course of his lifetime, and in 2019, experts estimate that there will be nearly 175,000 new cases and more than 31,500 deaths from prostate cancer; this year, approximately 10,660 Texas men are expected to be diagnosed and another 1,900 Texans will die from the disease; and

WHEREAS, Although prostate cancer affects men of all races and socioeconomic levels, African Americans are at an increased risk; overall, African American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with and 2.3 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men; African American men are also slightly more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease, which coincide with a far less optimistic prognosis; and

WHEREAS, Early detection and treatment offer prostate cancer patients the best hope for a full recovery, and improving patient outcomes depends a great deal on increasing public awareness of prostate cancer and its risk factors; men are advised to consult with their physicians to assess their individual risk of developing prostate cancer and to determine whether screenings and other tests are appropriate; and

WHEREAS, Additional focus is needed on the personal and social burdens of prostate cancer in order to provide patients, their families, and their caregivers the support they require; individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer can benefit from learning about the disease from health care providers, as well as from taking advantage of support groups and other resources to help them better cope with their illness and treatment process; and

WHEREAS, There are more scientific studies to be done to keep the medical community on the leading edge of prostate cancer treatments, and the observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September is an opportunity for the State of Texas to affirm its commitment to prostate cancer research as a priority of great importance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize September 2019 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and encourage Texans to seek out more information about prostate cancer.

Miles

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 20, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate