S.J.R. 16 Enrolled

RESOLUTION URGING COMPREHENSIVE
CANCER CONTROL PLAN FOR THE STATE
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Karen Hale
House Sponsor: Karen W. Morgan
Carlene M. Walker
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature recognizes efforts to formulate a Comprehensive
Cancer Control Plan and identify ways to prevent and control cervical cancer.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. recognizes the Department of Health and the Utah Cancer Action Network for
taking the lead in formulating the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan; and
. expresses support for the efforts of the Department of Health and the Utah Cancer
Action Network in the identification of ways to prevent and control cervical cancer.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, following breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common
cancer in women worldwide;
WHEREAS, according to federal government statistics, cervical cancer is the third
most common gynecological cancer among American women, with approximately 12,200 new
cases diagnosed annually;
WHEREAS, 4,100 of the 12,200 new cases of cervical cancer cases diagnosed each
year result in fatalities;

WHEREAS, cervical cancer is the only cancer with one known cause - human
papillomavirus (HPV);
WHEREAS, with regular and accurate screening, cervical cancer is highly preventable;
WHEREAS, widespread screening programs have helped to reduce death rates of women
from cervical cancer, but women are still dying even with advanced medical techniques and
evaluative procedures;
WHEREAS, cervical cancer cases in the United States are generally attributed to a lack of
education, a reduction of access available to regular cervical cancer screening, and a lack of
screening accuracy;
WHEREAS, experience shows that increasing cervical cancer awareness among women,
especially the underserved women within the state, significantly reduces the probability of
mortality;
WHEREAS, cervical cancer disproportionately affects minority women and women with
lower incomes because they are less likely to have access to routine screening;
WHEREAS, approximately half of all cervical cancer cases are in women who have
never been screened, and 10% of cases in women who have not been screened within the last five
years;
WHEREAS, the median age of cervical cancer patients at diagnosis is 47 years, the
youngest median age for all female reproductive cancers;
WHEREAS, new screening technologies, including Food and Drug
Administration-approved testing for HPV, which is the cause of virtually all cervical cancers,
offer new opportunities to finally eliminate this potentially deadly disease through early
identification of women at increased risk;
WHEREAS, leading medical organizations, including the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, and the Association of
Reproductive Health Professionals, have recently updated their screening guidelines to include
Food and Drug Administration-approved testing for HPV;
WHEREAS, women are entitled to proper cervical cancer information so that they can be

empowered to make informed healthcare decisions; and
WHEREAS, women are entitled to have access to routine screening, including the most
accurate methods available:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
recognizes the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Cancer Action Network in taking the
lead in formulating the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for the state, including the review of
data regarding cervical cancer of women in the state, evaluating current methods used to provide
women with information regarding cervical cancer, access to regular screening, and options for
increasing screening accuracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the Department of Health
and the Utah Cancer Action Network in the identification of pockets of need, priority strategies,
and new technologies, including newly introduced therapies and preventive vaccines which are
effective in preventing and controlling cervical cancer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that through education
and screening, women can lower their likelihood for developing cervical cancer, and that through
early detection, cervical cancer can be successfully treated after it develops.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the Utah Cancer Action
Network and the Department of Health to increase their efforts to prevent cervical cancer and
increase awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the Utah Cancer Action
Network to review and, or, update the State Comprehensive Cancer Plan as needed and present
the updated information to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and that it also be posted on the State's website, www.utahcancer.com.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, the Association of
Reproductive Health Professionals, and the Utah Cancer Action Network housed at the Utah
Department of Health.