HR0772 LRB096 15955 GRL 31200 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, According to estimates released by the American
3 Cancer Society in 2009, 192,370 women in the United States will
4 be diagnosed with breast cancer, of which 40,170 will die; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women;
6 if breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, women have
7 more treatment options and a 96% survival rate; and
 
8     WHEREAS, In Illinois, partial or total costs of mammograms
9 are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health
10 plans; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Women in their forties account for more than a
12 quarter of breast cancer diagnoses and are more prone to
13 aggressive cancers that are resistant to treatment; and
 
14     WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society recommends annual
15 screening using mammography and clinical breast examination
16 for all women beginning at age 40; and
 
17     WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly has recognized the
18 benefits of early detection of breast cancer and has passed
19 legislation expanding access to mammograms for all women in
20 Illinois; and
 

 

 

HR0772 - 2 - LRB096 15955 GRL 31200 r

1     WHEREAS, Since 1995, the Illinois Breast and Cervical
2 Cancer program has provided free screening and treatment for
3 uninsured women living in Illinois; through this program, over
4 66,000 women have been screened for breast and cervical cancer;
5 and
 
6     WHEREAS, In November of 2009, a report issued by the U.S.
7 Preventative Services Task Force contradicted the American
8 Cancer Society's recommendations for breast cancer screening
9 by recommending that women have mammogram screenings every two
10 years starting at age 50; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The contradiction between the American Cancer
12 Society recommendations for early detection of breast cancer
13 and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force's findings and
14 recommendations has caused confusion and concern among women
15 and the health care industry; and
 
16     WHEREAS, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
17 Sebelius officially responded to the recommendations made by
18 the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force by stating that women
19 should continue getting mammograms starting at age 40;
20 therefore, be it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

HR0772 - 3 - LRB096 15955 GRL 31200 r

1 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2 state our belief that breast cancer is a serious health problem
3 facing adult women and that mammography is part of the solution
4 beginning at age 40; and be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That we encourage all women to consult with their
6 health care providers about the benefits of early detection of
7 breast cancer; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Department of Public
9 Health to continue and expand its efforts to promote awareness
10 that early screenings for breast cancer and continue promoting
11 breast cancer screening based on recommendations that are
12 consistent with those of the American Cancer Society; and be it
13 further
 
14     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
15 presented to the Governor and the Director of the Illinois
16 Department of Public Health.