HOUSE MEMORIAL 46

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 16, 2017 "METASTATIC BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, families across New Mexico are affected by a family member's diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, much of the talk around breast cancer focuses on early detection and routine diagnosis, and there has been tremendous progress in the last thirty years; and

     WHEREAS, the story for advanced breast cancer is quite different, in that metastatic breast cancer patients continue to face many unique challenges, such as the emotional and physical demands of continual treatment; and

     WHEREAS, currently no cure exists for metastatic breast cancer, and those with metastatic breast cancer will continue treatment indefinitely with the goal of extending the best quality of life possible; and

     WHEREAS, more than one in eight women in the United States will be affected by invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes; and

     WHEREAS, breast cancer can spread quickly and inexplicably, regardless of the treatment or preventive measures taken; and  

     WHEREAS, approximately six percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are diagnosed as metastatic breast cancer, with an estimated thirty percent of early-stage breast cancer cases becoming metastatic or recurrent advanced cases; and

     WHEREAS, this devastating stage of breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver and brain; and

     WHEREAS, this devastating disease affects all races and socioeconomic classes, and though White women see the greatest incidence of breast cancer, the mortality rate for African American women, with breast cancer is higher than in White women and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Hispanic women; and

     WHEREAS, any discussions of breast cancer should include the spectrum from screening through metastatic breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, the burdens that metastatic breast cancer place on patients, families, the health care system and the economy are large; and

     WHEREAS, metastatic breast cancer cuts short the lives of too many women in New Mexico, leaving a lasting effect on their families; and

     WHEREAS, while there have been treatment advances in metastatic breast cancer, many of those advances have benefited a small subset of patients with specific types of metastatic breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, while metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, there is reason to be hopeful, as extensive research efforts are under way to address this unmet need; and

     WHEREAS, the national institutes of health have a website, ClinicalTrials.gov, that is a searchable database and that provides patients, family members and the public with information about ongoing clinical research studies; and

     WHEREAS, additional focus is needed on the personal and social burdens of metastatic breast cancer, the needs of patients and promising research efforts in the development of more effective treatments; and

     WHEREAS, there is still more research to be done for metastatic breast cancer so that new and more effective treatments can be developed; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico will continue to push for critical research and advanced treatments for metastatic breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer can speak with their physicians to learn more about the disease and find support groups and services in their communities or online; and

     WHEREAS, on this day, the people of New Mexico are asked to become informed about and aware of metastatic breast cancer;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 16, 2017, be proclaimed "Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people of New Mexico be requested to participate in observation of "Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day" to shed light on the devastation that metastatic breast cancer brings to communities throughout New Mexico.

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