BILL NUMBER: AJR 5	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 8, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 1, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gomez

                        JANUARY 17, 2013

   Relative to National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 5, as amended, Gomez. National Multicultural Cancer Awareness
Week.
   This measure would designate the week of April 20 to 26, 2014,
inclusive, as National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week, encourage
 the promotion of   continued research into
 policies and programs that seek to reduce cancer disparities
and, as a result, improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment,
and followup care for all Californians, and urge the President and
the Congress of the United States to recognize National Multicultural
Cancer Awareness Week.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week has been
observed across the country each year since 1987 in an effort to
bring attention to the disparities of cancer among medically
underserved populations; and
   WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society is participating in National
Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week to highlight the disparities in
cancer burdens and to encourage public and private sector commitments
in helping eliminate these disparities; and
   WHEREAS, California is the most populous and ethnically and
culturally diverse state in the country, and thus, is in a position
to provide leadership for the nation to address the reduction of the
incidence of cancer among all races, ethnicities, and genders; and
   WHEREAS, In California, disparities exist in knowledge about
cancer, cancer survival, and access to early detection, high-quality
treatment, health care coverage, and health care. Social inequities
also exist, including differences in occupational hazards,
environmental exposures to pollution and other toxins, access to
education, nutrition, physical activity, safe neighborhoods, healthy
food options, and other factors that contribute to an increased or
reduced risk of cancer; and
   WHEREAS, The risk of developing and dying from cancer varies
considerably among different cultural populations in California. The
medically underserved are often diagnosed at later stages, and with a
higher incidence of cancers with higher mortality, such as lung
cancer, and are more likely to receive delayed health care; and
   WHEREAS, Cancer is the leading cause of death among Latinos, Asian
Americans, and Pacific Islanders, and is the second leading cause of
death for most other Californians; and
   WHEREAS, In California, African American males have the highest
overall cancer incidence and mortality rates. African American women
are more likely to die of breast cancer, although non-Hispanic white
women are the most likely to be diagnosed with the disease. African
Americans have substantially higher rates of cancers of the stomach,
small intestine, liver, and larynx, myeloma, and Kaposi's sarcoma
than non-Hispanic whites. African American men are at especially high
risk for prostate cancer, more than any other racial and ethnic
group; and
   WHEREAS, In California, lung cancer is the most common cancer
among Laotian and Vietnamese men, while prostate cancer is the most
common cancer for men in most other ethnic groups. Colorectal cancer
is the most common cancer among Kampuchean and Korean men. Despite an
overall statewide decline in colorectal cancer rates from 1988-2008,
incidence sharply increased among Koreans and Vietnamese. Asian
Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Latinos have substantially higher
rates of liver and stomach cancer than other groups. Vietnamese women
have much higher rates of cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white
women. Asian Americans have among the lowest rates of screening for
breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. There remains a lack of
data about factors related to cancer, cancer control, and effective
interventions among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and
   WHEREAS, In California, Latinos have substantially higher rates of
stomach and liver cancers than other Californians. Latinos have
higher rates of acute lymphocytic leukemia and cervical cancer than
non-Hispanic whites. Latinos have the highest likelihood of being
medically uninsured, which can create serious barriers to screenings,
early detection, and treatment. Latino women have the highest risk
of developing cervical cancer, significantly higher, than
non-Hispanic white women, African American women, Asian American
women, and Pacific Islander women; and
   WHEREAS,  Members   According to the American
Cancer Society, members  of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender community are at greater risk for cancer,  face
  have faced  specific challenges accessing quality
health  care because of insurance policies that fail to
cover same-sex partners,   care,  and may hesitate
to access health care because of previous discrimination in health
care settings. Lesbians have fewer mammograms, pelvic examinations,
and Pap smear tests than heterosexual women. There remains a lack of
data about factors related to cancer, cancer control, and effective
interventions in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
community; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved, by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the
Congress of the United States to recognize "National Multicultural
Cancer Awareness Week"; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature declares the week of April 20 to
26, 2014, inclusive, as "National Multicultural Cancer Awareness
Week," within the State of California, and encourages  the
promotion of   continued research into  policies
and programs that seek to reduce cancer disparities and, as a result,
improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and followup care
for all Californians; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative
from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the
author for appropriate distribution.