H.R. No. 479
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is the second most common type of
cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American
men; and
WHEREAS, One in every nine men is diagnosed with prostate
cancer over the course of his lifetime, and in 2019, experts
estimate that there will be nearly 175,000 new cases and more than
31,500 deaths from prostate cancer; this year, approximately 10,660
Texas men are expected to be diagnosed and another 1,900 Texans will
die from the disease; and
WHEREAS, Although prostate cancer affects men of all races
and socioeconomic levels, African Americans are at an increased
risk; overall, African American men are 1.7 times more likely to be
diagnosed with and 2.3 times more likely to die from prostate cancer
than white men; African American men are also slightly more likely
than white men to be diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease,
which coincide with a far less optimistic prognosis; and
WHEREAS, Early detection and treatment offer prostate cancer
patients the best hope for a full recovery, and improving patient
outcomes depends a great deal on increasing public awareness of
prostate cancer and its risk factors; men are advised to consult
with their physicians to assess their individual risk of developing
prostate cancer and to determine whether screenings and other tests
are appropriate; and
WHEREAS, Additional focus is needed on the personal and
social burdens of prostate cancer in order to provide patients,
their families, and their caregivers the support they require;
individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer can benefit from
learning about the disease from health care providers, as well as
from taking advantage of support groups and other resources to help
them better cope with their illness and treatment process; and
WHEREAS, There are more scientific studies to be done to keep
the medical community on the leading edge of prostate cancer
treatments, and the observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
in September is an opportunity for the State of Texas to affirm its
commitment to prostate cancer research as a priority of great
importance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize September 2019 as Prostate Cancer
Awareness Month and encourage Texans to seek out more information
about prostate cancer.
Dutton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 479 was adopted by the House on March
13, 2019, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House