STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3791

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 140

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 140 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER AS CANCER SCREEN WEEK TO URGE THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII TO TALK WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT APPROPRIATE SCREENINGS FOR PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate the first week of December as Cancer Screen Week and encourage citizens of Hawaii to seek appropriate cancer screenings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that regular screenings increase the probability of early detection of certain cancers, and early detection can save lives by providing the opportunity for treatment at earlier stages, when treatment is more effective and less costly. However, current cancer screening rates in Hawaii remain below the nationally recommended Healthy People 2020 targets. Your Committee finds that a public initiative such as Cancer Screen Week will raise awareness and encourage Hawaii residents to get recommended screenings.

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 H.C.R. No. 140, and recommends its adoption.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair