BILL NUMBER: SCR 63INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Gaines FEBRUARY 9, 2012 Relative to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 63, as introduced, Gaines. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This measure would designate the month of September 2012 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that one in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Approximately 241,740 new cases of the disease in the United States are predicted for 2012, resulting in nearly 28,170 deaths; and WHEREAS, In California, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in all race and ethnic groups. African American men are at especially high risk for prostate cancer; and WHEREAS, In California, approximately 23,410 men are predicted to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, and, of this number, approximately 3,110 men are predicted to die of this disease; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of September 2012 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California and encourages public officials and citizens of California to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature joins communities across our nation to increase the awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.