SENATE BILL REPORT

                  HJM 4004

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 18, 1999

Brief Description:  Urging support of prostate cancer research.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dickerson, Cody, Skinner, O'Brien, Veloria, Kessler, McIntire, Wood, Lovick, Romero, Conway, Ruderman, Hurst and Kenney.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/18/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio and Franklin.

Staff:  Christopher Blake (786-7446)

Background:  Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in American men and is the second leading cause of death.  The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1998 there were 184,500 men in the United States diagnosed with prostate cancer and 39,000 people died of it.  Last year 3,500 diagnoses and 700 deaths were expected in Washington State.  Prostate cancer is nearly twice as prevalent in African American men as it is in other races and they have the highest contraction rate of any population in the world.  The National Institutes of Health spent $114 million on prostate cancer in 1998, up from $95 million in 1997.  While the prostate cancer budget is increasing, some are concerned because it remains proportionately smaller when compared to other forms of cancer.

Summary of Bill:  The President and Congress are asked to provide increased funding for prostate cancer research.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  Prostate cancer is a significant health problem for American men.  African American men are at a greater risk for prostate cancer than other populations.  More funding is needed for prostate cancer research.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; Frank Kirk, Pearline Dottin, Paul Sanders, American Cancer Society.