RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE CANCER RESEARCH IS ADOPTED

Washington—The Senate on Wednesday evening approved a resolution introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) that recognizes May as National Cancer Research Month.
As co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Cancer Coalition, Feinstein and Isakson introduced the resolution to honor contributions made by scientists, clinicians and patient advocates who have committed themselves to finding a cure for cancer, a disease that remains one of the nation’s most pressing health concerns. The resolution also encourages efforts to make cancer research a national and international priority.

“More than 1.6 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2014, and 585,000 of those will likely die from this terrible disease,” Feinstein said. “Scientists, doctors and medical professionals in all capacities have made great strides toward battling this vicious disease, but there is still much work to be done.”
“It is extremely important that we increase awareness and treatment of the devastating effects of cancer,” Isakson said. “I am pleased my Senate colleagues joined us in support of this resolution because it is vital we uphold initiatives that seek solutions to this deadly disease.”

Although cancer continues to be a major health concern, there are glimmers of hope. Progress has been made through science and research to save many lives. The death rate from cancer has declined 20 percent in the past two decades and early detection improvements have increased the overall five-year survival rate to above 65 percent.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.