Senate Resolution No. 266

BY: Senator RIVERA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
November 2019, as Lung Cancer 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 dedicated to increasing
awareness of such concerns impacting citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Lung
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, With one in fourteen men, and one in seventeen women in the
United States developing lung cancer, it remains a prevalent and
substantial health issue in this country; and

WHEREAS, Lung cancer claims the lives of more people in the United
States each year than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined; about
228,000 new cases are estimated in the United States for 2019, and
approximately 142,000 estimated deaths from lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, From 2010 to 2014 in New York State, there were 6,816 new
cases and 4,256 deaths in females due to lung cancer; moreover, there
were 6,772 new cases and 4,619 deaths in males due to lung cancer in the
State; and

WHEREAS, The most prominent risk factors for lung cancer are
smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust,
metals such as arsenic and chromium, exposure to radon gas, and genetic
factors attributed to familial history; while smoking continues to be
the leading risk factor, between 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers occur
in non-smokers; and

WHEREAS, As noted by Free to Breathe, the most common symptoms of
lung cancer are coughing up blood, experiencing recurring respiratory
infections, enduring coughs that are new or different, suffering aches
or pains in one's shoulder, back or chest, having trouble breathing, and
feeling exhaustion and loss of appetite; and

WHEREAS, The hope is that the observance of Lung Cancer Awareness
Month will emulate other cancer awareness months in the State by
increasing awareness, early detection, research and treatment
discoveries in an effort to benefit the lives of those impacted in New
York State and beyond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Lung
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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.