BILL NUMBER: SCR 26	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Beall

                        MARCH 5, 2015

   Relative to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 26, as introduced, Beall. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
   This measure would recognize that pancreatic cancer statistics
call for aggressive measures now to develop early detection and
treatment tools before the incidence dramatically increases, and
would proclaim November 2015 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in
California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, In 2015, an estimated 48,960 people will be diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer and 40,560 people will die from the disease in
the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, is the
fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and is
the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate in the
single digits at just 7 percent; and
   WHEREAS, Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually first present
themselves in its late stage, and 72 percent of pancreatic cancer
patients die within the first year of their diagnosis, while 93
percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first five
years; and
   WHEREAS, Approximately 4,300 deaths from pancreatic cancer will
occur in California in 2015; and
   WHEREAS, The incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer are
increasing, pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth
to the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by
2020, and the number of deaths from the disease will increase 2.4
fold by 2030; and
   WHEREAS, The federal government invests significantly less money
in pancreatic cancer research than it does in research of any other
leading deadly cancer, constituting only approximately 2 percent of
the National Cancer Institute's research funding, a figure far too
low given the severity of the disease, its mortality rate, and how
little is known about how to arrest it; and
   WHEREAS, The Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, formerly
the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, requires that the
National Cancer Institute develop a scientific framework for
combating pancreatic cancer and other recalcitrant cancers; and
   WHEREAS, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a national
organization serving the pancreatic cancer community in California,
where it is headquartered, and nationwide through a comprehensive
approach, which includes public policy, research funding, patient
services, and public awareness and education related to developing
effective treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
   WHEREAS, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its affiliates
in California support those patients and families currently battling
pancreatic cancer, as well as the friends and families of those who
have lost their lives to the disease, and are committed to nothing
less than a cure; and
   WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the residents of
California are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness
about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes,
and effective treatments; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes that
pancreatic cancer statistics call for aggressive measures now to
develop early detection and treatment tools before the incidence
dramatically increases, in light of the fact that National Cancer
Institute funding is falling dangerously behind; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature hereby proclaims November 2015 as
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in California and urges all
California citizens to wage hope to end pancreatic cancer; and be it
further.
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.