WHEREAS, Stomach cancer is among the cancers with the lowest five-year survival rate; and
WHEREAS, Of the 24,500 new diagnoses each year in the United States, 45 percent of patients die in the first year; and
WHEREAS, Eighty percent of stomach cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV, which has a 4 percent five-year survival rate; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 72,000 people in the United States are currently living with stomach cancer; and
WHEREAS, Stomach cancer has increased by 70 percent in young adults between 25 and 39 years of age since 1977; and
WHEREAS, The five-year relative survival rate for stomach cancer is 29 percent, and stomach cancer mortality rates have remained relatively unchanged over the past 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Stomach cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, $1.8 billion was spent on care of stomach cancer patients in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute invested only $11.2 million to fund stomach cancer research in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Early detection is the key to surviving stomach cancer; and
WHEREAS, A little-known inherited form of stomach cancer carries up to an 80 percent risk that an individual will be diagnosed with stomach cancer by age 80; and
WHEREAS, Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy weight, can potentially reduce the risk of stomach cancer; and
WHEREAS, Better patient and health care provider education is needed for the timely recognition of stomach cancer risks and symptoms; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the month of November 2016 is designated Stomach Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate encourages the people of the State of California and interested groups to observe and support November 2016 as “Stomach Cancer Awareness Month” through appropriate programs and activities to promote public awareness of, and potential treatments for, stomach cancer; and be if further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
Senate Resolution No. 62 read and adopted by the Senate March 28, 2016.
Attest: _______________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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