Florida Senate - 2023                             (NP)    SR 118
       
       
        
       By Senator Harrell
       
       
       
       
       
       31-00358-23                                            2023118__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 2023 as Esophageal
    3         Cancer Awareness Month in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer is the fastest-increasing cancer
    6  among American men, and
    7         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer is one of the fastest-growing
    8  cancer diagnoses among all Americans, increasing more than 700
    9  percent in recent decades, and
   10         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer kills one American every 36
   11  minutes each and every day, and
   12         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer is among the deadliest of
   13  cancers, with fewer than one in five patients surviving the
   14  disease five years after being diagnosed, and
   15         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer has low survivability rates
   16  because it is usually discovered at advanced stages, when
   17  treatment outcomes are poor, and
   18         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer in the United States is most
   19  often caused by persistent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux
   20  disease (GERD), yet many individuals who are at risk are unaware
   21  of the potential danger GERD can present when it occurs over
   22  several weeks or months, and
   23         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer can be a silent killer with
   24  patients often unaware that the heartburn, cough, hoarse voice,
   25  sore throat, chest pain, or other symptoms they suffer can be
   26  signs of GERD and are reasons to discuss screening for
   27  esophageal cancer with their health care provider, and
   28         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer can develop from GERD when
   29  fluids from the stomach splash into the esophagus, creating
   30  cellular change and resulting in a precancerous condition known
   31  as Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to a 30-fold increase in
   32  a patient’s risk of developing esophageal cancer, and
   33         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer can be prevented through early
   34  detection of its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus, which can be
   35  eliminated with curative outpatient techniques, and
   36         WHEREAS, esophageal cancer awareness, along with
   37  improvements in prevention, early detection, and treatment
   38  strategies, will enhance the health and well–being of citizens
   39  of the State of Florida and all Americans, NOW, THEREFORE,
   40  
   41  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   42  
   43         That April 2023 is recognized as Esophageal Cancer
   44  Awareness Month in Florida.