BILL NUMBER: SCR 61	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  FEBRUARY 9, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 8, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  FEBRUARY 6, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Evans
   (Coauthors: Senators Correa, Leno, Liu, Negrete McLeod, and
Pavley)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members : Ammiano, Atkins, Block, Bonilla,
Butler, Chesbro, Hall, Hayashi, Huffman, Pan, Swanson, Wieckowski,
and Williams)

                        JANUARY 25, 2012

   Relative to Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 61, Evans. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
   This measure would recognize January 2012 as Cervical Cancer
Awareness Month, and would encourage prompt access to preventive
services and medical care in order to overcome barriers to care and
treatment for cervical cancer.



   WHEREAS, Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of
cancer death for American women; and
   WHEREAS, In California, cervical cancer continues to be the 12th
most common cancer diagnosed among women and the seventh most common
cancer among the Latina and Vietnamese populations; and
   WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 1,400 California women are
diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 400 die from this
disease; and
   WHEREAS, Cervical cancer is preventable through regular
screenings, and certain cervical cancers may be preventable through
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination; and
   WHEREAS, The cost of treating cervical cancer continues to range
from $300 million dollars to $400 million dollars nationwide; and
   WHEREAS, Many women are not aware of cervical cancer and the steps
that can be taken to prevent this disease; and
   WHEREAS, Mortality from cervical cancer is associated with being
diagnosed at a later stage, which often stems from poor access to
preventive services and a lack of understanding about following up
for care after an abnormal finding; and
   WHEREAS, Awareness of cervical cancer, its risk factors, and the
importance of access to preventive measures, including regular Pap
tests and the HPV vaccination, are critical to perpetuating the
continual decrease of the incidence of cervical cancer in women; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of
January 2012 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages prompt access to
preventive services, including Pap tests and HPV vaccinations, and
high-quality medical care and treatment, in order to overcome ethnic,
racial, and economic barriers to care that can increase a woman's
lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.