Assembly Resolution No. 696

BY: M. of A. Lavine

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2025, as Urological Health Awareness Month
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
serious diseases by proclaiming official months to increase awareness of
such concerns, which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as Urological Health
Awareness Month in the State of New York, and

WHEREAS, Urologists are committed to educating people in the United
States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early
detection strategies, which is crucial to saving the lives of men and
preserving and protecting families; and

WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is a substantial health problem in the
State of New York and throughout the United States, it is the second
leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men; and

WHEREAS, In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 313,780 new
cases of prostate cancer and 35,770 deaths from prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, One out of every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate
cancer in their lifetime; prostate cancer can remain symptomless for
years; it is crucial that all men get tested because with early
detection, prostate cancer is treatable; and

WHEREAS, Despite decades of education and awareness efforts,
prostate cancer develops more often in African American men and in
Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races; when it
develops, they tend to be younger; it is 64% higher among
African-American men than among Caucasian men; and

WHEREAS, Screening by both a digital rectal examination (DRE) and a
prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test can diagnose the disease in
its early stages, increasing the chances of surviving more than five
years to nearly 100 percent; and

WHEREAS, Early screening reduces prostate cancer mortality; evidence
shows that yearly PSA testing is beneficial, reducing prostate cancer
deaths by 64% for men age 55-75; and

WHEREAS, The proportion of men diagnosed with
intermediate-or-high-risk cancer, based on blood prostate-specific
antigen (PSA) level, increased by nearly 6% from 2011 to 2013, according
to an analysis of men treated for the disease since 2005; and

WHEREAS, It is critical that the New York State Department of Health
strongly advise men on the need to be screened for prostate cancer with
the PSA and DRE; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as
Urological Health 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.