REFERENCE TITLE: lung cancer awareness month

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

SR 1003

Introduced by

Senators Alston: Gabaldón, Gonzales, Marsh, Miranda, Sundareshan; Representatives Gutierrez, Pawlik

A Resolution

designating november 2023 as lung cancer awareness month in Arizona.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined; and

Whereas, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States; and

Whereas, one in 15 men and one in 17 women in the United States will develop lung cancer during their lifetimes; and

Whereas, in 2021, an estimated 235,760 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer and an estimated 131,880 individuals died from the disease; and

Whereas, lung cancer incidence is decreasing twice as fast in men as it is in women. Each year more women die from lung cancer than breast cancer and, by 2035, more women will die from lung cancer than men; and

Whereas, lung cancer in never-smokers is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death and accounts for 17,000 to 26,000 deaths in the United States every year. Sixty to 70 percent of never-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer are women, and the proportion of lung cancers diagnosed in never-smokers is increasing in the United States; and

Whereas, the five-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is around 59 percent, yet only about 17 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at this stage; and

Whereas, screening high-risk individuals for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography can detect lung cancer earlier than other forms of screening and can save lives. This was shown by the National Lung Screening Trial to reduce the mortality rate by 20 percent when compared to screening by chest x-ray, and by a randomized control trial funded by the Netherlands Organization of Health Research and Development to reduce the risk of death at 10 years by 24 percent in men and 33 percent in women when compared to no screening; and

Whereas, lung cancer screening can effectively reduce lung cancer mortality, yet only a small percentage, 3.9 to 8.6 percent, of individuals who are considered to be at a high risk for developing lung cancer actually undergo lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography; and

Whereas, disparities in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and mortality are well documented; and

Whereas, educational efforts can increase awareness of lung cancer and lung cancer screening among the general public, patients and health care workers, thereby increasing the early detection of lung cancer.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona:

1. That the Members of the Senate designate November 2023 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arizona.

2. That the Members of the Senate support the goals and ideals of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

3. That the Members of the Senate support efforts to increase awareness of, education about and research on smoking cessation, screening, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, lung cancer affecting women, lung cancer in never-smokers and lung cancer health disparities.

4. That the Members of the Senate encourage the people of Arizona to observe National Lung Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate awareness and educational activities.