2011 Assembly Joint Resolution 73
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming November 2011 as pancreatic cancer awareness month.
Whereas, pancreatic cancer is the tenth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States; and
Whereas, more than 43,140 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and over 36,800 will die from the disease; and
Whereas, the number of new pancreatic cancer cases and the number of deaths caused by the disease is increasing, and the expected number of new pancreatic cancer cases is projected to increase by 55 percent by year 2030; and
Whereas, pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, with 75 percent of patients with pancreatic cancer expected to die within the first year of diagnosis; and
Whereas, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer, and there have been no significant improvements in early detection, treatment, or survival rates; and
Whereas, the disease is often diagnosed in late stages due to the location of the pancreas in the body and the lack of early detection methods, and 52 percent of patients are diagnosed when they have advanced disease that has already spread to other organs; and
Whereas, historically, pancreatic cancer research has been underfunded as only 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to this leading killer; and
Whereas, the good health and well-being of the residents of the state of Wisconsin are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature proclaims November 2011 to be pancreatic cancer awareness month and encourages all citizens to increase awareness of, education for, and services for pancreatic cancer in Wisconsin.
