Michigan House Bill HR0189

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/24
• Passed: 2/14/24

Caption

A resolution to declare February 2024 as Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Impact

This resolution serves to promote awareness and education regarding cholangiocarcinoma, encouraging citizens to learn about the disease and its implications. The designation of an awareness month is intended to galvanize public attention, increase advocacy for research, and support initiatives aimed at improving detection, treatment, and potential cures. It reinforces the state's commitment to combating rare cancers and providing support for patients and their families affected by cholangiocarcinoma.

Summary

House Resolution 189 aims to declare February 2023 as Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month in Michigan. The resolution highlights the severity and rarity of cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile duct that shows a rising mortality rate and significantly impacts those aged 65 and older. Each year, around 10,000 individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed, and due to lack of early detection methods, many are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor survival outcomes.

Contention

While the resolution is largely symbolic, the focus on awareness of cholangiocarcinoma opens discussions about the need for more robust healthcare measures and funding for rare cancer research. Critics may raise issues regarding the allocation of resources and whether symbolic gestures effectively address the larger systemic issues surrounding cancer treatment and research funding.