BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 63
Author: Gaines (R)
Amended: 4/9/12
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
SOURCE : California Prostate Cancer Coalition
DIGEST : This resolution designates the month of
September 2012 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the
State of California.
ANALYSIS :
Resolution findings:
1. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in six
men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime.
Approximately 241,740 new cases of the disease in the
United States are predicted for 2012, which would result
in nearly 28,170 deaths.
2. In California, prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among men in all race most racial and ethnic groups.
African American men are at especially high risk for
prostate cancer.
3. In California, approximately 20,200 men are predicted to
be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, and, of this
number, approximately 3,090 men are predicted to die of
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this disease.
4. California is home to approximately 621,340 Vietnam-era
veterans, the largest population of Vietnam War-era
veterans in the country.
5. In 2008, physicians at the UC Davis Cancer Center
released results showing that Vietnam veterans exposed
to Agent Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate
cancer and even greater risks of getting the most
aggressive form of the disease, and the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that if a
veteran served in Vietnam and has prostate cancer, it is
presumed that the cancer is a result of that veteran's
service.
6. While prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer
deaths in men, little is known about this disease and
there are usually no symptoms in the early stages.
7. The survival rate approaches 100 percent when prostate
cancer is diagnosed and treated early, but drops to 29
percent when the disease spreads to other parts of the
body.
8. The American Cancer Society recommends that health care
providers offer a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood
test and a digital rectal examination (DRE) annually to
men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy,
beginning when the men are 50 years of age.
9. Men in high-risk groups, such as African American men or
those with brothers or fathers who have had prostate
cancer, should be offered a PSA and DRE beginning when
they are 45 years of age.
10.Men who have multiple family members who were diagnosed
with prostate cancer at an early age should consult with
their health care provider about prostate cancer
screening beginning when they are 40 years of age.
This resolution designates the month of September 2012 as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California.
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FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/24/12)
California Prostate Cancer Coalition (source)
American Cancer Society
California Academy of Physician Assistants
CTW:do 4/25/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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