Declare Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 396 BY: Senator SALAZAR MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2019, as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2019, as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is an effort to encourage and promote the efforts of people and health care practitioners in the State of New York to increase awareness about cervical cancer, including the early detection, prevention, risk factors, and early warning symptoms and signs of the disease; and WHEREAS, In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 12,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 4,000 women will die from cervical cancer each year; and WHEREAS, In August of 2005, New York became the 33rd State, as part of the Women In Government's Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign, to enact legislation that aims to prevent and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer; and WHEREAS, In New York State the incidence of cervical cancer has declined by 40% since 1976 when 1,300 women were diagnosed with the disease, and 500 died from; in 2015, there were 865 women who were newly diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and 240 deaths from the disease; and WHEREAS, The decline in cervical cancer rates has been a success, even more can be done; and WHEREAS; Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV); the American Cancer Society recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys; and WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends that all women who have reached 21 years of age, and those who are or have been sexually active regardless of age, should be screened regularly for cervical cancer; and WHEREAS; Cervical cancer is virtually always preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening; it is one of the most successfully treatable cancers with a five-year survival rate of 95%; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and national levels to support the patients as well as their families; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2019, as Cervical 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.