MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler, Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th), Norwood, Barnett, Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Simmons (12th)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE INCREASED RISK TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN FOR DEVELOPING PROSTATE CANCER AND URGING INCREASED EDUCATION, AWARENESS, OUTREACH AND DETECTION FOR PROSTATE CANCER.
WHEREAS, in 2018, there were expected to be 164,690 new cases of prostate cancer and about 29,430 deaths from prostate cancer in the United States; and
WHEREAS, prostate cancer is a disease that disproportionately affects men with a family history of this disease (particularly brother and/or father) and as they advance in age; and
WHEREAS, however, African-American men are at an increased risk for developing prostate cancer compared to white men and other men of color. One in six African-American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, overall, African-American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with, and 2.3 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. African-American men are also slightly more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease; and
WHEREAS, race, age and family history present a triple risk for older African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, finding prostate cancer when it is still at an early stage offers the best hope for effective treatment and potentially living cancer free; and
WHEREAS, if the disease progresses to metastatic, the prognosis is poor with median survival of about three years; and
WHEREAS, improved awareness of prostate cancer, understanding of increased risks for developing it, as well as access to recent medical advances that may extend the time a patient lives without their cancer spreading, are important to improve patient outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has called for increased funding and outreach "To Adopt Additional Funds for Education, Awareness, Outreach and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer":
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the Legislature encourages culturally competent outreach efforts to educate and inform communities of color on the importance of early detection, encourages African-American men to participate in clinical trials, and encourages clinical trials to actively recruit African-American men.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Capitol Press Corps.