PRINTER'S NO. 3190

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

682

Session of

2020

INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, BIZZARRO, SAINATO, SCHLOSSBERG,

LONGIETTI, COX, KORTZ, FREEMAN, BURNS, MURT, MILLARD, HILL-

EVANS, KIM, McNEILL, KINSEY, BROWN, RYAN, GAINEY, SCHMITT,

WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 14 million people acquire

human papillomavirus, which is estimated to be responsible for

causing 90% of all cervical cancers; and

WHEREAS, With routine and accurate screening, cervical cancer

is highly preventable; and

WHEREAS, Widespread screening has reduced mortality rates for

individuals with cervical cancer, yet the number of deaths is

still significant, despite advanced medical techniques and

evaluative procedures; and

WHEREAS, Cervical cancer rates in the United States are

WHEREAS, Cervical cancer disproportionately affects the

African American community and persons of color with reduced

access to routine screenings; and

WHEREAS, Approximately half of all cervical cancer cases are

in individuals who have never been screened and 10% of cases are

in those who have not been screened within the last five years;

and

WHEREAS, The majority of cervical cancer patients are

diagnosed before 50 years of age, the youngest median age for

cancers involving the human papillomavirus; and

WHEREAS, The United States Food and Drug Administration has

approved a vaccine for human papillomavirus, for all genders,

with recommended inoculation beginning at 9 years of age to 45

years of age, that prevents infection by four strains of human

papillomavirus to prevent most cases of cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and

the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have jointly

recommended the use of the human papillomavirus vaccine for

adolescents and young adults, for all genders, between 9 and 45

years of age; and

and 64 years of age who are underinsured or uninsured may be

eligible for free screening for cervical cancer through the

Department of Health's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early

Detection Program; and

WHEREAS, People in Pennsylvania under 65 years of age who are

uninsured and in need of treatment for cervical cancer or a

precancerous condition of the cervix may be eligible for full

health care benefits through the Breast and Cervical Cancer

Prevention and Treatment Program of the Department of Human

Services; and

Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That "Cervical Cancer Awareness Month" be

recognized to increase awareness among Pennsylvanians, their

families, health care providers and policymakers of the risks,

prevalence and treatability of cervical cancer and the

importance of early access to accurate screening.