[First Reprint]

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 34

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 27, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH F. VITALE

District 19 (Middlesex)

Senator  RICHARD J. CODEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

Assemblyman  HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblyman  HAROLD "HAL" J. WIRTHS

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Pou, Assemblywomen Speight, Swain, Murphy, Assemblyman Tully and Assemblywoman Jasey

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates March as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on February 3, 2022, with amendments.

  


A Joint Resolution designating March as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

 

Whereas, Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second deadliest cancer among women in the United States; and

Whereas, Approximately 8,330 women in New Jersey were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021; and

Whereas, Triple Negative Breast Cancer is a form of breast cancer that accounts for roughly 15 to 30 percent of all diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases in the United States; and

Whereas, More than 53,700 new breast cancer cases in 2019 in the United States were Triple Negative Breast Cancer, with higher prevalence among younger women, Black and Hispanic women, women with type 2 diabetes, women carrying excess weight in the abdomen area, and women with certain gene mutations; and

Whereas, Due to its aggressive behavior, Triple Negative Breast Cancer grows quickly and is more likely to return following successful treatment as compared to other types of breast cancer;  and

Whereas, Individuals diagnosed with metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer have less than a 30 percent chance of surviving five years following diagnosis; and

Whereas, Breast cancer patients with an early diagnosis can often be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery; however, there are limited therapies available for Triple Negative Breast Cancer; and

Whereas, Recent innovation in targeted therapies have fueled advances in the fight against Triple Negative Breast Cancer; and

Whereas, According to certain studies, Triple Negative Breast Cancer mortality rates are often higher if patients have Medicaid or Medicare or if patients have a lower socio-economic status; 1[furthermore, compared with non-Hispanic white women;]1 and

Whereas, 1[Black] Furthermore, compared with non-Hispanic white women, black1 women are 48 percent less likely to receive guideline adherent care and have an approximate two-fold higher mortality incidence, which can result in a disproportionately higher risk of death from Triple Negative Breast Cancer; and

Whereas, Advances in breast cancer screening and treatment over the last several decades have reduced the overall breast cancer mortality rate, yet the disproportionate impact of Triple Negative Breast Cancer on racial and ethnic minority communities raises considerations about the underlying determinants driving the disparities; and

Whereas, It is necessary to promote Triple Negative Breast Cancer education, raise awareness about the disease-related disparities, and tackle health disparities within the health care delivery 1system1 such as inadequate access to screening, diagnostic testing, and care, to improve early detection and survival; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    March of each year is designated as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

 

     2.    The Governor may annually issue a proclamation recognizing March as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and call on public officials and the residents of the State of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.