K 696: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as Urological Health Awareness Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 696 BY: M. of A. Lavine MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as Urological Health Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing serious diseases by proclaiming official months to increase awareness of such concerns, which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as Urological Health Awareness Month in the State of New York, and WHEREAS, Urologists are committed to educating people in the United States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early detection strategies, which is crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families; and WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is a substantial health problem in the State of New York and throughout the United States, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men; and WHEREAS, In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer and 35,770 deaths from prostate cancer; and WHEREAS, One out of every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime; prostate cancer can remain symptomless for years; it is crucial that all men get tested because with early detection, prostate cancer is treatable; and WHEREAS, Despite decades of education and awareness efforts, prostate cancer develops more often in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races; when it develops, they tend to be younger; it is 64% higher among African-American men than among Caucasian men; and WHEREAS, Screening by both a digital rectal examination (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test can diagnose the disease in its early stages, increasing the chances of surviving more than five years to nearly 100 percent; and WHEREAS, Early screening reduces prostate cancer mortality; evidence shows that yearly PSA testing is beneficial, reducing prostate cancer deaths by 64% for men age 55-75; and WHEREAS, The proportion of men diagnosed with intermediate-or-high-risk cancer, based on blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, increased by nearly 6% from 2011 to 2013, according to an analysis of men treated for the disease since 2005; and WHEREAS, It is critical that the New York State Department of Health strongly advise men on the need to be screened for prostate cancer with the PSA and DRE; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2025, as Urological Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.