Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 1 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to broaden awareness and education of cervical cancer prevention.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Medical Service Association, the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, Inc., and Merck & Company.

Your Committee finds that cervical cancer is the third most common cancer affecting women worldwide and is a highly preventable disease. Early detection of the disease through screening enables women to receive proper treatment in a timely manner. If detected early, cervical cancer has a survival rate of close to ninety-nine percent.

Your Committee further finds that making January Cervical Cancer month will join together supporters of cervical cancer prevention to provide the needed awareness and education on the disease and the importance of screening, regular exams, and early detection.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 1 and recommends its adoption.