87S31287 BPG-F
By: Crockett H.R. No. 155
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Breast cancer is one of the most common types of
cancer among American women, and each October, Breast Cancer
Awareness Month helps to highlight the vital importance of
educating the public about the disease; and
WHEREAS, One in eight American women will develop breast
cancer during their lifetime; the American Cancer Society estimates
that in 2021, more than 281,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed,
and over 43,000 women will lose their lives to the disease; it is
the leading cause of death for Hispanic women and the second leading
cause of death for African American, Asian Pacific, and American
Indian women; in 2020, more than 18,000 Texans were diagnosed with
breast cancer; breast cancer is the most common type of cancer
globally, with more than two million people diagnosed in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Since 1985, the month of October has been recognized
nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a result of this
increased advocacy, billions of dollars have been spent on research
and education, while many of the brightest scientific minds have
been devoted to learning more about this disease; in addition, the
annual event has helped raise awareness about the need for
mammograms and other types of proactive screening; and
WHEREAS, These changes are especially significant because
the issues around women's health have often been insufficiently
examined by the medical community, resulting in women being
underdiagnosed and, at times, not receiving lifesaving
interventions; and
WHEREAS, The incidence of breast cancer is almost completely
the same among White and Black women, yet Black women face a
41 percent higher mortality rate than White women; and
WHEREAS, Social inequities perpetuate a disparity in
prevention, treatment, and survival of breast cancer; early
detection saves lives, and all Texans deserve the best health care
available, regardless of ability to pay or systemic barriers to
health care; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby recognize October 2021 as
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and encourage Texans to seek out more
information about breast cancer.