STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1280

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 107

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 107 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 13, 2017, AS METASTATIC BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate October 13, 2017, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that approximately 1,140 women in Hawaii were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, with six percent of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer being metastatic at the time of diagnosis and approximately thirty percent of cases becoming metastatic or recurrent.  Your Committee further finds that while early detection and improved public awareness have resulted in significant progress in treatment and improved survival rates over the past thirty years, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, leaving patients and their families to bear the enormous burden of treatment costs, family stress, and loss.  Your Committee notes that while this type of cancer remains incurable, extensive research is underway, which is hopeful for the many lives and families across the State affected by metastatic breast cancer.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 107 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair