04-R 223

2004 -- H 7907

Enacted 05/05/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

URGING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC AWARENESS, ACCESS TO REGULAR SCREENINGS AND INCREASING SCREENING ACCURACY FOR CERVICAL CANCER

Introduced By: Representatives E Coderre, Giannini, Mumford, R Anderson, and Dennigan

Date Introduced: February 12, 2004

     WHEREAS, Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women world-wide,

after breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, According to United States cervical cancer statistics, the disease is the third

most common gynecological cancer among American women. With approximately 12,200 new

cases diagnosed annually, 4,100 of these cases result in fatalities; and

     WHEREAS, Cervical cancer is highly preventable, with regular and accurate screening;

and

     WHEREAS, Widespread screening programs have helped reduce death rates from

cervical cancer, but women are still dying; and

     WHEREAS, Cervical cancer cases in the United States are generally attributed to lack of

education, insufficient access to regular cervical cancer screening, and inadequate screening

accuracy; and

     WHEREAS, Experience shows that increasing cervical cancer awareness among women,

especially underserved women, significantly reduces the probability of mortality; and

     WHEREAS, New screening technologies, including FDA-approved testing for human

papillomavirus, which is the cause of virtually all cervical cancers, offer new opportunities to

finally eliminate this potentially deadly disease through early identification of women at

increased risk; and

     WHEREAS, Leading medical organizations, including the American College of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society and Association of Reproductive

Health Professionals have recently updated their screening guidelines to include FDA-approved

testing for human papillomavirus; and

     WHEREAS, Women are entitled to proper cervical cancer information, so that they can

be empowered to make informed health care decisions, and to have access to routine screening,

including the most accurate methods available; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the state of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the staid concerns regarding cervical health. We urge

the Rhode Island Department of Health to review data regarding cervical cancer and human

papillomavirus and evaluate the methods currently being used by this state in providing women

with information regarding cervical cancer, the availability and access to regular screening, and

every option for increasing the accuracy of these screenings; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That we acknowledge education and early detection can lower the

likelihood of women developing cervical cancer and increase the successful treatment of cervical

cancer once it develops; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Health and

Human Services.

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LC01762

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