BILL NUMBER: SCR 95	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 1, 2008

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Aanestad and Cox

                        MARCH 25, 2008

   Relative to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 95, as amended, Aanestad. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
   This measure would designate the month of September 2008 as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that one in six men
will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime and that there will
be approximately 186,320 new cases of the disease in the United
States in the current year, resulting in nearly 28,660 deaths; and
   WHEREAS, In California, prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among men in all race and ethnic groups. African American men are 50
percent more likely to develop this disease than any other group of
men; and
   WHEREAS, In California, approximately 22,600 men will be diagnosed
with prostate cancer this year and each day more than eight
California men will die of this disease; and
   WHEREAS, While prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths
in men, little is known about this disease and there are usually no
symptoms in the early stages; and
   WHEREAS, The survival rate approaches 100 percent when prostate
cancer is diagnosed and treated early, but drops to 32 percent when
the disease spreads to other parts of the body; and
   WHEREAS, Early detection is key to survival and the American
Cancer Society recommends that every man should be offered screening
tests determined by his age and risk factor, including an annual
prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital  rectal
 examination; and
   WHEREAS, Men who have several close relatives who have been
diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age should begin their
testing at 40 years of age; and
   WHEREAS, Men who have a father, son, or brother who was diagnosed
with prostate cancer before 65 years of age, and all African American
men, should begin testing at 45 years of age; and
   WHEREAS, Other men who have a life expectancy of at least
60 years of age  should begin testing at 50 years of age
 if they have a life expectancy of at least an additional 10
years  ; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of
September 2008 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
California and that public officials and citizens of California are
encouraged to observe the month with appropriate activities and
programs; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature joins communities across our nation
to increase the awareness of the importance of early detection and
treatment of prostate cancer; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.