Assembly Resolution No. 163

BY: M. of A. Otis

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 22, 2019, as Lynch Syndrome Hereditary Cancer
Awareness Day in the State of New York

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

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 22, 2019, as
Lynch Syndrome Hereditary Cancer Awareness Day in the State of New York,
in conjunction with the observance of National Lynch Syndrome Hereditary
Cancer Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Lynch Syndrome, formerly known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis
Colon Rectal Cancer, is a hereditary cancer syndrome which predisposes
people affected to an extremely high risk of developing a litany of
cancers which are often aggressive and can develop at a much younger age
than typical; and

WHEREAS, Those with Lynch Syndrome have a lifetime risk of up to 82%
for colorectal cancer, up to 72% for endometrial cancer, up to 24% for
ovarian, up to 13% for gastric, up to 4-10% for urinary tract cancer,
and a higher than average risk to develop cancer of the small bowel,
skin, hepatobiliary, kidney, and brain; and

WHEREAS, Widely underdiagnosed, this hereditary cancer syndrome is
not a rare disease as some believe; new statistics show that 1 in every
279 people in the United States has Lynch Syndrome and sadly 95% are
unaware; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, these 95% of individuals who are not diagnosed
are left vulnerable to developing aggressive cancer; and

WHEREAS, Every person should know their family history and share it
with their physician to determine if their family may be at high risk
for hereditary cancers, and every newly diagnosed colorectal cancer and
endometrial cancer should be screened for Lynch Syndrome characteristics
to prompt risk assessment and further testing; and

WHEREAS, Having knowledge of a Lynch Syndrome diagnosis can increase
cancer prevention through regular screening measures, and lead to
earlier cancer detection and treatment; 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; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 22, 2019, as
Lynch Syndrome Hereditary Cancer Awareness Day 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.