BILL NUMBER: SCR 33INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Gaines APRIL 2, 2013 Relative to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 33, as introduced, Gaines. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This measure would designate September 2013 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men aside from skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men aside from lung cancer; and WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that one in six men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime with an estimated 238,590 new cases of the disease in the United States predicted for 2013, which would result in an estimated 29,720 deaths; and WHEREAS, In California, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in most racial and ethnic groups. African American men are 45 percent more likely to develop this disease than non-Hispanic white men and 58 percent more likely than Hispanic men; and WHEREAS, In California, approximately 20,430 men are predicted to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013, and, of this number, approximately 3,085 men are predicted to die of this disease; and WHEREAS, The survival rate approaches 100 percent when prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated early but drops to 28 percent when the disease spreads to other parts of the body; and WHEREAS, Early stages of prostate cancer usually do not have symptoms and genetic predisposition may be responsible for 5 to 10 percent of prostate cancer cases; and WHEREAS, Recent studies suggest that a diet high in processed meat or dairy foods may increase the risk of prostate cancer, while obesity may contribute to an increased risk of more aggressive forms of the disease; and WHEREAS, Obesity and smoking are associated with an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer; and WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends that all men be given sufficient information on both the benefits and limitations of early detection and testing for prostate cancer to allow each man to make a decision based on his personal values and preferences; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates September 2013 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 awareness of the importance of each man making an informed decision with his health care provider with regard to early detection and testing for prostate cancer; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.