STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BRIAN BERGEN
District 26 (Morris and Passaic)
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Dunn
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes October 13, 2020 as “Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Assembly Resolution recognizing October 13, 2020 as “Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver and brain. Metastatic breast cancer is incurable and patients with this type of breast cancer have an average life expectancy of 18 to 36 months after diagnosis; and
Whereas, Approximately thirty percent of stage 0 to stage III breast cancers in remission will recur as stage IV metastatic breast cancer; and
Whereas, On average, more than one in eight women and one in 833 men are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States and over 8,260 women in New Jersey die of metastatic breast cancer every year; and
Whereas, An estimated 279,100 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 42,690 Americans will die from metastatic breast cancer this year, equaling to 115 women and men dying of this type of breast cancer every day; and
Whereas, Metastatic breast cancer affects all races and socioeconomic classes. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Hispanic women; and
Whereas, Caucasian women and African-American women experience the greatest incidence of breast cancer but the mortality rate for African-American women diagnosed with breast cancer is about 40 percent higher than the comparable rate for Caucasian women; and
Whereas, Although African American and Caucasian men diagnosed with breast cancer receive similar treatment, African-American men are more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasian men; and
Whereas, Currently, less than five percent of breast cancer research in the United States is focused on extending the lives of the already metastasized patient, yet 98 percent of deaths from breast cancer are metastatic; and
Whereas, While additional research is needed to understand the effects associated with the emotional and physical demands for continued treatment on patients with metastatic cancer, the ClinicalTrials.gov database provides patients, family members and the public with information about all ongoing clinical research studies; and
Whereas, On October 13, 2020, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the State of New Jersey will be participating in the nationwide #LightUPMBC campaign by lighting up significant landmarks in the symbolic metastatic breast cancer colors of teal, green, and pink. Teal represents healing and spirituality, green symbolizes the cycle of life over death, and pink signifies that the cancer originated in the breast; and
Whereas, The purpose of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the #LightUPMBC campaign is to raise public awareness of metastatic breast cancer, and to salute the numerous health and wellness organizations that advocate for critical research of, provide advance treatment for, and make significant contributions in the fight against, metastatic breast cancer; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House hereby recognizes October 13, 2020 as “Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day” in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness of metastatic breast cancer, and to salute the numerous health and wellness organizations that advocate for critical research of, provide advanced treatment for, and make significant contributions in the fight against, metastatic breast cancer.
2. The Governor shall issue a proclamation calling upon the public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates October 13, 2020 as “Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day” in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness of metastatic breast cancer, and to salute the numerous health and wellness organizations that advocate for critical research of, provide advanced treatment for, and make significant contributions in the fight against, metastatic breast cancer.