LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 2012, as Men's Health Awareness Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The health concerns of men affect all people in the Empire
State, as nearly every citizen has had a father, husband, son, brother
or male friend die from disease or illness at a premature age; and
WHEREAS, Despite advances in medical technology and research, men
continue to live an average of five years less than women; and
WHEREAS, The 10 leading causes of death in men are heart disease,
prostate and other cancers, stroke, accidents and unintentional inju-
ries, lung disease, diabetes, pneumonia and influenza, suicide, chronic
liver disease and cirrhosis, and kidney disease; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men are
diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, The likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1
in 6; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated
that 241,730 new cases of prostate cancer will occur in the United
States in 2012; prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer
death in men; an estimated 28,170 men will die from prostate cancer in
2012; and
WHEREAS, African-American men in the United States have the highest
incidence of prostate cancer; and
WHEREAS, The number of cancer survivors is growing in the United
States as a result of doctors' ability to find cancer earlier, diagnose
cancer more accurately, and treat cancer more effectively; and
WHEREAS, Follow-up care and patient education on cancer survivorship
issues after prostate cancer treatment is a critical component to
patient care that will aid in the survivors' physical and psychosocial
well-being and provide them with coordinated care; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 13 million men in America are affected by low
testosterone, also known as hypogonadism; despite the high prevalence of
this disease, testosterone deficiency is under treated and overlooked
because men frequently ignore their symptoms or attribute them to other
causes such as aging; and
WHEREAS, Many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physi-
cian for regular screening examinations of male related problems for a
variety of reasons including fear, lack of information, and cost
factors; and
WHEREAS, Significant numbers of male related health problems such as
prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could
be detected and treated if men's awareness of these problems was more
pervasive; and
WHEREAS, Educating both the public and health care providers about the
importance of early detection of male health problems will result in
reducing rates of mortality for these diseases; and
WHEREAS, Appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen
(PSA) exams, blood pressure screens, and cholesterol screens, in
conjunction with clinical examination and self-testing can result in the
detection of many of these problems in their early stages and increases
in the survival rates; and
WHEREAS, Men who are educated about the value that preventive health
can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive
family member will be more likely to participate in health screenings
and proactively take charge of their health; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2012, as Men's
Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.