Declare Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 266 BY: Senator RIVERA MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing serious diseases by proclaiming official months dedicated to increasing awareness of such concerns impacting citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, With one in fourteen men, and one in seventeen women in the United States developing lung cancer, it remains a prevalent and substantial health issue in this country; and WHEREAS, Lung cancer claims the lives of more people in the United States each year than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined; about

228,000 new cases are estimated in the United States for 2019, and approximately 142,000 estimated deaths from lung cancer; and WHEREAS, From 2010 to 2014 in New York State, there were 6,816 new cases and 4,256 deaths in females due to lung cancer; moreover, there were 6,772 new cases and 4,619 deaths in males due to lung cancer in the State; and WHEREAS, The most prominent risk factors for lung cancer are smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust, metals such as arsenic and chromium, exposure to radon gas, and genetic factors attributed to familial history; while smoking continues to be the leading risk factor, between 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers occur in non-smokers; and WHEREAS, As noted by Free to Breathe, the most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing up blood, experiencing recurring respiratory infections, enduring coughs that are new or different, suffering aches or pains in one's shoulder, back or chest, having trouble breathing, and feeling exhaustion and loss of appetite; and WHEREAS, The hope is that the observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month will emulate other cancer awareness months in the State by increasing awareness, early detection, research and treatment discoveries in an effort to benefit the lives of those impacted in New York State and beyond; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.