SPONSOR:

Sen. Blevins & Sen. McBride, on behalf of all Senators;

Rep. Schwartzkopf & Rep. Longhurst, on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

DESIGNATING THE SECOND FULL WEEK IN MAY AS "WOMEN'S LUNG HEALTH WEEK".

WHEREAS, every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told she has lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women in Delaware and in the U.S., surpassing breast cancer in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Delaware women have the 4th highest lung cancer incidence rate and are 3rd highest in lung cancer mortality in the nation, and

WHEREAS, in Delaware, lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer overall and second-most common cancer in females, and

WHEREAS, 15.3 percent of all cancer cases diagnosed in women during 2006–2010 in Delaware were for lung cancer, and

WHEREAS, the lung cancer death rate in women has more than doubled over the past 35 years; and

WHEREAS, for the period 1996–2000 through 2006–2010 in Delaware, lung cancer incidence increased 9.0 percent among female Caucasians and decreased 13.2 percent among female African Americans, and

WHEREAS, women are disproportionally burdened with COPD compared to men in terms of illness and death; and

WHEREAS, asthma is more common in women than men; and

WHEREAS, advocacy and increased awareness will result in more and better treatment for women with lung cancer, COPD, asthma and other lung diseases and will ultimately save lives; and

WHEREAS, LUNG FORCE is the new national movement led by the American Lung Association, with the mission of making lung cancer and lung disease history—uniting women to stand together with a collective strength and determination to lead the fight against lung cancer and for lung health.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 147^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House concurring therein, that the State of Delaware hereby designates the second full week in May as Women’s Lung Health Week throughout the State of Delaware, and encourages all residents of the State of Delaware to learn more about the detection and treatment of lung cancer and all lung disease.