2005 Senate Joint Resolution 59
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Whereas, cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women worldwide following breast cancer; and
Whereas, there are approximately 12,200 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, 4,100 of which result in fatalities; and
Whereas, in Wisconsin 262 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and 57 of those diagnoses will result in fatalities; and
Whereas, the median age of cervical cancer patients at diagnosis is 47 years, which is the youngest median age for all female reproductive cancers; and
Whereas, minority and low-income women in Wisconsin are nearly 3 times more likely to contract cervical cancer as a result of inadequate access to routine screening, with approximately 64 percent receiving regular screenings compared to 80 percent in the remaining population; and
Whereas, most cervical cancer cases in America are attributable to a lack of education and are easily preventable with increased awareness; and
Whereas, with regular and accurate screening, cervical cancer is highly preventable, and regular screening has been proven to help reduce death rates among infected women; and
Whereas, increasing awareness of cervical cancer among women, especially underserved women, significantly reduces the probability of mortality; and
Whereas, new screening technologies, including FDA-approved testing for human papillomavirus, the leading cause of virtually all cervical cancers, offers new opportunities to work towards eradicating this deadly disease; and
Whereas, leading medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals have recently updated their screening guidelines to include new FDA-approved testing for human papillomavirus; and
Whereas, women are entitled to proper cervical cancer information so that they can be empowered to make informed health care decisions and gain access to the most effective screening methods; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That: the members of the Wisconsin legislature recognize that, through increased education and screening, women can lower their likelihood of developing cervical cancer and that, through early detection, cervical cancer can be successfully treated after its development; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Wisconsin legislature recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
