Assembly Resolution No. 819

BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 2024, as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Cervical Cancer
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer and fourth
most frequent cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each
year in the United States, and more than 4,000 die as a result; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, there were about 812 new cases of cervical cancer
in the State of New York, and 216 women died from the disease; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic women have the highest rate of cervical cancer,
and Black, non-Hispanic women are more likely to die of cervical cancer
than any other group; and

WHEREAS, The disease is almost totally treatable or preventable with
routine screening, which the American Cancer Society recommends women
begin at the age of 25; and

WHEREAS, Mortality from cervical cancer is associated with being
diagnosed at a later stage, which can stem from poor access to and
uptake of preventative services and a lack of follow-up care after an
abnormal screening result; and

WHEREAS, Awareness of the disease, its risk factors, and the
importance of access to preventative measures are critical to
perpetuating the continual decrease of the incidence of cervical cancer
in women in the State of New York and across the Nation; and

WHEREAS, Cervical cancer has affected residents from each and every
county in this great Empire State; Cervical Cancer Awareness Month not
only brings attention to this preventable, life-threatening disease
affecting so many of our friends, family, and neighbors in New York
State, but also honors those who have succumbed to it; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels to support the patients as well as
their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Cervical
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.