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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and |
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Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day is taking place on March 22, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, It is estimated that 12,220 Texans and 153,000 |
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Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and |
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4,300 Texans and 52,000 Americans will die from the disease; most |
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colorectal cancers can be prevented by removing precancerous polyps |
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from the colon; however, polyps do not typically produce symptoms |
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during their early stages, so it is important to be proactive and |
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take advantage of screenings and early detection technology; |
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according to the American Cancer Society, all men and women should |
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start preventative screenings for colorectal cancer at the age of |
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45, and at-risk individuals are advised to begin screenings even |
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sooner; and |
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WHEREAS, Lynch syndrome is an inherited disease that leads to |
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a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, including |
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colorectal, endometrial, gastric, ovarian, small bowel, |
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pancreatic, prostate, urinary tract, kidney, bile duct, and brain |
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cancers; hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer is the most |
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common type affecting Lynch syndrome patients; an estimated 1 in |
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every 300 individuals is a carrier of a genetic alteration |
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associated with Lynch syndrome, and those who have a first-degree |
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relative with the disease have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it; |
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because patients with Lynch syndrome are more likely to receive a |
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cancer diagnosis at a young age, it is vital that families know |
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their medical history to ensure early intervention and treatment; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, For more than two decades, the South Plains Colon |
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Cancer Prevention Task Force has played an instrumental role in |
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expanding access to colorectal screenings in West Texas as well as |
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across the state; the members of the group have worked tirelessly to |
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raise awareness about colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome and |
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support individuals and families who have been affected by these |
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diseases; and |
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WHEREAS, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Lynch |
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Syndrome Awareness Day serve to educate Texans about the actions |
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they can take to reduce the risks associated with the diseases, and |
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those who are taking part in this worthwhile endeavor are indeed |
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deserving of recognition for their efforts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby commend all those who are working to raise awareness about |
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colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome and extend to them sincere |
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best wishes for continued success in their important work. |