HLS 182ES-16 ORIGINAL
2018 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 3
BY REPRESENTATIVE STOKES
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes July 2018 as Metastatic Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize July 2018 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Louisiana.
3 WHEREAS, thousands of families across Louisiana are affected by metastatic breast
4cancer; and
5 WHEREAS, much of the discussion concerning breast cancer focuses on the
6importance of early detection and routine diagnosis, where tremendous progress has been
7made in the last thirty years; and
8 WHEREAS, the story for advanced stages of the disease is quite different, with many
9persons afflicted with advanced metastatic breast cancer struggling with the emotional and
10physical demands of continual treatment; and
11 WHEREAS, at present, no cure exists for metastatic breast cancer, and those with
12the disease will continue treatment indefinitely with the goal of extending their lives with
13the best quality of life possible; and
14 WHEREAS, more than one in eight women in the United States will be affected by
15invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes, many of whom live in the state of Louisiana; and
16 WHEREAS, breast cancer can spread quickly and inexplicably, regardless of the
17treatment or preventative measures taken, and it is estimated that thirty percent of early stage
18breast cancer cases will become metastatic or recurrent advanced cases, which are cases
19where cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, including the bones,
20lungs, liver, and brain; and
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HR NO. 3
1 WHEREAS, although this devastating disease affects those of all races and
2socioeconomic classes, the mortality rate for African American women is higher than for
3white women, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Hispanic
4women; and
5 WHEREAS, while there have been treatment advances for metastatic breast cancer,
6many of those advances have benefitted a small subset of patients with specific types of
7metastatic breast cancer; and
8 WHEREAS, while metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, there is reason to be
9hopeful, as extensive research efforts are underway to address the need for a cure; and
10 WHEREAS, there is still more research to be done on this disease so that new and
11more effective treatments can be developed; and
12 WHEREAS, additional efforts are needed to highlight the personal and social
13burdens caused by metastatic breast cancer, the needs of patients afflicted by the disease, and
14the promotion of promising research efforts in the development of more effective treatments
15to combat the disease; and
16 WHEREAS, individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer should speak to
17their physicians to learn more about the disease and find support groups and services in their
18community or online; and
19 WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting and proper to observe Metastatic Breast Cancer
20Awareness Month and to shed light on the devastation metastatic breast cancer brings to
21communities throughout the state.
22 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
23Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize July 2018 as Metastatic Breast Cancer
24Awareness Month in Louisiana and does hereby encourage the citizens of Louisiana to raise
25awareness of metastatic breast cancer and to provide assistance to persons afflicted with this
26devastating disease.
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HR NO. 3
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 3 Original 2018 Second Extraordinary Session Stokes
Recognizes July 2018 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Month in La.
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