HR 9117

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing April 16, 2009, as "Cervical
3	Cancer Awareness Day."
4
5	WHEREAS, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer
6	diagnosed among women worldwide and is caused by certain types
7	of human papillomavirus, and
8	WHEREAS, unlike many other forms of cancer, cervical cancer
9	has a precursor that can be treated and can prevent progression
10	of the disease, and
11	WHEREAS, since 1947, Papanicolaou testing, commonly known
12	as "Pap screening," has significantly decreased the incidence
13	and the mortality of cervical cancer by 70 percent, and
14	WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society recommends that annual
15	cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 or within three years
16	of sexual activity, and
17	WHEREAS, health care disparities exist in both the access
18	to cervical cancer care and cervical cancer screening, and
19	WHEREAS, newly available vaccinations have made cervical
20	cancer one of the most preventable cancers, and
21	WHEREAS, approximately half of the women who develop
22	cervical cancer have never been screened and an additional 10
23	percent have not been screened in the last five years, and
24	WHEREAS, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable
25	cancers, NOW, THEREFORE,
26
27	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
28	Florida:
29
30	That April 16, 2009, is recognized as "Cervical Cancer
31	Awareness Day" in Florida and all women are urged to understand
32	the risks associated with cervical cancer, to take preventive
33	steps to minimize those risks, and to talk to their doctor about
34	annual cervical cancer screening and compliance with the
35	cervical cancer screening guidelines recommended by the American
36	Cancer Society.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.