FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 23

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1363L.01I

      Whereas, following breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide after breast cancer; and

            Whereas, according to United States cervical cancer statistics, the disease is the third most common gynecological cancer among American women. With approximately 12,200 new cases diagnosed annually, 4,100 of these cases result in death; and

            Whereas, with regular and accurate screening, cervical cancer is highly preventable with regular and accurate screening; and

            Whereas, widespread screening programs have helped reduce death rates from cervical cancer, but women are still dying even with such advanced medical techniques and evaluative procedures; and

            Whereas, cervical cancer cases in the United States are generally attributed to lack of education, a reduction of access available to regular cervical cancer screening, and a lack of screening accuracy; and

            Whereas, experience shows that increasing cervical cancer awareness among women, especially underserved women within our state, significantly reduces the probability of mortality; and

            Whereas, cervical cancer disproportionately affects minority women and women with lower incomes because they are less likely to have access to routine screening; and

            Whereas, approximately one-half of all cervical cancer cases are in women who have never been screened, and ten percent of cases are in women who have not been screened within the last five years; and

            Whereas, the median age of cervical cancer patients at diagnosis is 47 years, the youngest median age for all female reproductive cancers; and

            Whereas, new screening technologies, including FDA-approved testing for human papillomavirus, which is the cause of virtually all cervical cancers, offer new opportunities to finally eliminate this potentially deadly disease through early identification of women at increased risk; and

            Whereas, leading medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals have recently updated their screening guidelines to include FDA-approved testing for human papillomavirus; and

            Whereas, women are entitled to proper cervical cancer information so they can be empowered to make informed health care decisions, and are entitled to access to routine screening, including the most accurate methods available: 

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby recognize that through education and screening women can lower their likelihood for developing cervical cancer, and that through early detection cervical cancer can be successfully treated after it develops; and

            Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly supported the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Cancer Consortium in taking the lead in formulating the Comprehensive Cancer Action Plan for Missouri, including the review of data regarding cervical cancer and human papillomavirus of women in Missouri, evaluating current methods used to provide women with information regarding cervical cancer, access to regular screening, and options for increasing screening accuracy; and

            Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly supports the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Cancer Consortium in the identification of pockets of need, priority strategies, and new technologies, including new introduced therapies and preventive vaccines which are effective in preventing and controlling cervical cancer; and

            Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly directs that the Comprehensive Cancer Action Plan for Missouri, which serves as a nationwide model of effective cancer control strategies, be presented annually to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and be posted on the Missouri state web site homepage; and