Senate Passes Bipartisan Prostate Cancer Resolution

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) lauded unanimous passage of their bipartisan Senate Resolution designating September 2021 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. More than 3.1 million men are living with prostate cancer in the United States, with 1 in 8 men in the country expected to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetimes. Senate Res.378 is aimed at increasing awareness of prostate cancer, promoting early detection, and encouraging increased federal investments and research to improve treatment and discover a cure for the disease. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-New Jersey) introduced a companion Resolution in the House of Representatives.

“Early screenings and warnings are important tools when it comes to detecting and treating cancer,” said Senator Crapo.  “Checkups and testing for prostate cancer can save lives if found early.  Congress must use every avenue available to continue raising awareness about the risks and early screenings to combat prostate cancer.”

 “With almost a quarter million men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone, awareness and early detection is key to survival,” said Senator Menendez.  “Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States, but when diagnosed early, it can be highly treatable. During this month, we commit to raise awareness and encourage men of all ages to speak to their doctors and assess their risk, and also encourage research and the development of better treatments and a potential cure.”

“Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for American men nationwide, but men can survive it if they catch it early,” said Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “As Chairman of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, I introduced this resolution to increase awareness of this disease, increase prostate cancer screenings, and save lives.  I am honored that the Senate has passed our bipartisan, bicameral legislation to designate September 2021 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

“At ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer, we applaud Senator Menendez and Senator Crapo for their leadership on prostate cancer policy all year long, but especially during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Simply put, early detection saves lives. Raising awareness about prostate cancer is a necessary step to helping men and their families fight this disease and we're proud to stand with our Congressional allies in this task,” said Jamie Bearse, CEO of ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, the nation’s leading prostate cancer advocacy organization.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2021, 248,530 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, leading up to the death of more than 34,100 men.  African-American men suffer from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is significantly higher than that of white men, with more than double the prostate cancer mortality rate.

Joining Senators Crapo and Menendez as original co-sponsors of the Resolution were Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), James Risch (R-Idaho), Alex Padilla (D-California), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia).

The full text of the Resolution can be found below and HERE.

Title: Designating September 2021 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month''.

Whereas more than 3,100,000 men in the United States are living with prostate cancer;

Whereas 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 41 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer;

Whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States;

Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2021, 248,530 men will be diagnosed with, and more than 34,130 men will die of, prostate cancer;

Whereas 40 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men under the age of 65;

Whereas the odds of developing prostate cancer rise rapidly after age 50;

Whereas African-American men suffer from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is significantly higher than that of White men and have more than double the prostate cancer mortality rate than that of White men;

Whereas having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of a man developing prostate cancer, with a higher risk for men who have a brother with the disease and the highest risk for men with several affected relatives;

Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease at the earlier, more treatable stages, which could increase the chances of survival for more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent;

Whereas only 30 percent of men survive more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has metastasized;

Whereas there are typically no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, making appropriate screening critical;

Whereas, in fiscal year 2021, the Director of the National Institutes of Health will support approximately $256,000,000 in research projects focused specifically on prostate cancer;

Whereas, in fiscal year 2021, Congress appropriated $110,000,000 for the Prostate Cancer Research Program of the Department of Defense;

Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has established 20 Precision Oncology Centers of Excellence in order to deliver precision oncology services to veterans suffering from prostate cancer;

Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment; and

Whereas educating people in the United States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 2021 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”;

(2) declares that steps should be taken—

(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer;

(B) to encourage research—

(i) to improve screening and treatment for prostate cancer;

(ii) to discover the causes of prostate cancer; and

(iii) to develop a cure for prostate cancer; and

(C) to continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer; and

(3) calls on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons—

(A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer;

(B) to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, families, and the economy; and

(C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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