III
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 182
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 28, 2005
Mr. Coleman (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Lincoln, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Reed, Mr. Salazar, and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
RESOLUTION
Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research.
Whereas an estimated 12,400 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the year 2005;
Whereas cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age 15;
Whereas an estimated 2,300 children will die from cancer in the year 2005;
Whereas the incidence of cancer among children in the United States is rising by about one percent each year;
Whereas 1 in every 330 Americans develops cancer before age 20;
Whereas approximately 8 percent of deaths of those between 1 and 19 years of age are caused by cancer;
Whereas while some progress has been made, a number of opportunities for childhood cancer research still remain unfunded or underfunded;
Whereas limited resources for childhood cancer research can hinder the recruitment of investigators and physicians to pediatric oncology;
Whereas peer-reviewed clinical trials are the standard of care for pediatrics and have improved cancer survival rates among children;
Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancer continues to grow, with about 1 in 640 adults between the ages of 20 and 39 having a history of cancer;
Whereas up to 2/3 of childhood cancer survivors are likely to experience at least one late effect from treatment, many of which may be life-threatening;
Whereas some late effects of cancer treatment are identified early in follow-up and are easily resolved, while others may become chronic problems in adulthood and may have serious consequences; and
Whereas 89 percent of children with cancer experience substantial suffering in the last month of life: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should support—
public and private sector efforts to promote awareness about the incidence of cancer among children, the signs and symptoms of cancer in children, treatment options, and long-term follow-up;
increased public and private investment in childhood cancer research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, post-treatment monitoring, and long-term survival;
policies that provide incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology;
policies that provide incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers;
policies that encourage participation in clinical trials;
medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and
policies that enhance education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.