LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim November 2009 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men
and women in New York, the United States and the world, this year kill-
ing more Americans than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined; and
WHEREAS, There were an estimated 215,020 new cases of lung cancer and
an estimated 161,840 deaths from lung cancer in the United States in
2008; and an estimated 13,500 New Yorkers diagnosed resulting in an
estimated 8900 deaths in New York; and
WHEREAS, Lung cancer disproportionately impacts Veterans, African-Am-
ericans and non-smoking women; and
WHEREAS, Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, yet former
smokers and persons who have never smoked but have inhaled second-hand
smoke comprise the majority of new cases of lung cancer each year; and
WHEREAS, Radon is considered to be the second leading cause of lung
cancer in the United States today; and
WHEREAS, Another cause of lung cancer is on-the-job exposure to canc-
er-causing substances or carcinogens, such as asbestos, depleted urani-
um, arsenic, Agent Orange or other dioxin producing materials, and
certain petroleum products; and
WHEREAS, In the early stages of lung cancer, symptoms are usually not
apparent, however, when symptoms occur, the cancer is often advanced;
symptoms of lung cancer include chronic cough, hoarseness, coughing up
blood, weight loss and loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fever
without a known reason, wheezing, repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneu-
monia and chest pain; and
WHEREAS, Funding for lung cancer medical research falls far short of
that for other less fatal diseases; and
WHEREAS, To raise awareness the Lung Cancer Alliance, the only
national organization dedicated solely to providing patient support,
information and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung
cancer, has proclaimed November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, It is only fitting and proper for the State of New York to
join the nation in designating November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month
so that through better education the public will gain a thorough under-
standing of the disease and the misunderstanding, misperceptions and
stigma will be eradicated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim November 2009 as Lung
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Lung Cancer Alliance.