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JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 13, 2016 AS PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, researchers estimate that about 48,960 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 40,560 will die from the disease this year, approximately 210 of whom live in Maine; and
WHEREAS,  pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers for which the survival rates have had little improvement in nearly 40 years, with 73% of patients with pancreatic cancer dying within one year of their diagnosis and 93% dying within 5 years of diagnosis; and
WHEREAS,  pancreatic cancer is the 4th-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with no early detection test to diagnose the disease in its early stages when surgical removal of the tumor is still possible; and
WHEREAS,  pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth begins in the pancreas, with family history, smoking, age and diabetes being major risk factors; and
WHEREAS,  pancreatic cancer may cause vague symptoms that could indicate many different conditions, including abdominal or back pain, weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite and nausea; and
WHEREAS,  surgical removal, the best possible treatment option, is available for fewer than 20% of patients diagnosed and chemotherapy or radiation is typically offered to patients whose tumors cannot be removed surgically; and
WHEREAS,  the good health and well-being of the residents of Maine are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness of pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes and effective treatments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, recognize that November 13, 2016 is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day in order to make our citizens more aware of this prevalent disease; and be it further
RESOLVED: That 4 suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.