(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson’s resolution to designate the week of April 20 to 26, 2008 as "National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week" passed the Senate today on a vote of 31-0.  

The resolution encourages the private sector, along with State and Federal governments to promote policies and programs that seek to reduce cancer disparities and improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and follow-up care for all Californians. Programs and policies will include educating people on the causes and types of cancer, the growing disparities in the number of cancer cases among racial groups and encouraging people to visit a doctor regularly.

National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week has been observed across the country each year since 1987 to bring attention to the disparities of cancer among racial and ethnic populations. 

“This resolution is more than symbolism; it is about saving lives. We know that cancers related to tobacco, poor diet and inadequate physical activity can be prevented. We also know that cancer screening can lead to early detection and increase the chances for effective treatment. However, millions of people continue to lose their lives due to several barriers, including lack of information,” Assemblymember Swanson stated.           

Disparities exist in knowledge about cancer, access to early detection, and cancer survival. Systemic inequities also exist in terms of access to education, nutrition, physical activity and other factors that contribute to an increased or reduced risk of cancer.  The American Cancer Society has conducted research that highlights the disparities among different communities:

• African American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the nation. Lung cancer claims approximately 16,700 African Americans a year; and cancer of the colon remains the third most common cancer among African Americans.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and leading cause of death among Hispanic women.  Nearly 12,000 Hispanic men are also expected to develop prostate cancer every year. Cancer of the colon also disproportionately impacts the Hispanic community as the second leading cause of cancer death among men, and third leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women.
• Cancer is the leading cause of death for female Asian Americans, and a significant number of Korean Americans have never even heard of the Pap smear test.

“Cancer is a disease that is both deeply personal and represents national crisis at the same time.  In fact, my younger sister was diagnosed just this year with breast cancer.  Thankfully, they discovered the cancer, due to early screening and detection methods.  Her request to me was to emphasize the importance of early detection in my work in Sacramento,” Assemblymember Swanson concluded.