Recognizing October 13, 2017, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The resolution brings attention to the importance of continued research and support for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer. It acknowledges the significant number of people, estimated between 150,000 to 250,000, currently living with this condition in the United States. By declaring a specific awareness day, the resolution aims to mobilize resources, increase public knowledge, and encourage collaboration among various stakeholders, including patient advocates, academic institutions, and healthcare providers, to improve outcomes for patients.
Senate Resolution No. 416 recognizes October 13, 2017, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Texas. The resolution highlights the severity of breast cancer, noting that it is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women under 50 and emphasizes the alarming statistic that one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. It also addresses the serious implications of metastatic breast cancer, where the cancer spreads beyond the breast, underscoring that there is currently no cure and that the median survival rate post-diagnosis is only three years.
While this resolution is largely symbolic and focused on awareness, it opens the door to discussions about the need for more robust funding and support for research into metastatic breast cancer. Some advocates may argue that resolutions of this nature should lead to actionable measures, including increased medical funding and targeted support programs for patients. The resolution stands as a commendation for those working on behalf of patients, but the challenge remains in ensuring that such awareness translates into effective action and policy changes that can genuinely improve the lives of those affected by the disease.