Posted: | June 18, 2013 12:28 PM |
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From: | Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - September 2013 |
Before the legislature breaks for summer, I would like to ask for your support designating September 2013 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Childhood cancers make up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year. About 11,630 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013. Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades. Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Overall, this is a huge increase since the mid-1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was less than 60%. Still, survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer and other factors. Survival rates for different cancer types are listed in the section, “Surviving childhood cancer.” Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 15 years old (after accidents). About 1,310 children are expected to die from cancer in 2013. |
Introduced as HR389