Senate Resolution No. 2458

BY: Senator HANNON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 2017, as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
in the State of New York, to be observed in
conjunction with National Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month

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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2017, as Prostate Cancer
Awareness Month in the State of New York, to be observed in conjunction
with National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, While great strides have been made in the battle against
prostate cancer, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is 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 2013, the State of New York had an estimated 16,720 new
prostate cancer cases, and an estimated 1,770 deaths from prostate
cancer; and

WHEREAS, One out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate
cancer in their lifetime; prostate cancer can remain symptomless for
years; there is often no way to detect prostate cancer in its early
stages except through specific tests done by a trained professional; and

WHEREAS, The most clearly established risk factors for prostate
cancer are age, race, family history, and high-fat diets; more than 65
percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65,
and African-American males suffer a prostate cancer incidence rate up to
60 percent higher than White males and are nearly 2.5 times more likely
to die from the disease; conversely, Asian men who live in Asia have the
lowest risk; and

WHEREAS, There are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer while
it is still in the early stages, making screening critical; 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, while only 33 percent of men survive more
than five years if diagnosed during the late stages of the disease; and

WHEREAS, The observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month has
contributed to nearly 60 percent of new cases being localized and

potentially curable, indicating a dramatic increase in awareness among
the general population about the importance of early detection,
benefiting millions of men and helping to save thousands of lives; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2017, as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, to be observed
in conjunction with National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; and be it
further

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