Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1216

BY: M. of A. McMahon

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        April 2026, as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month  in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  is the fastest increasing cancer among
men in the United States; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is one  of  the  fastest  growing  cancer
diagnoses  among  all  Americans,  increasing  more  than 700% in recent
decades; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer kills one American every 36 minutes; and

  WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is among the deadliest of  cancer  types,
with only about one in five patients surviving five years; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  has  low  survival rates because it is
usually discovered at advanced stages when treatment outcomes are  poor;
and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  in  the  U.S.  is most often caused by
persistent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), yet many
who are at risk are unaware of the potential  danger  GERD  can  present
when it occurs over several weeks or months; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  can  be  a silent killer with patients
often unaware that the heartburn,  cough,  hoarse  voice,  sore  throat,
chest  pain,  or other symptoms they suffer can be signs of GERD and are
reasons to discuss screening for Esophageal  Cancer  with  their  health
care provider; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal  cancer  can develop from GERD when fluids from
the  stomach  splash  into  the  esophagus,  creating  cellular   change
resulting  in  a  precancerous  condition  known as Barrett's Esophagus,
which can lead to a 30-fold increase in a patient's risk  of  developing
Esophageal Cancer; and

  WHEREAS,  Esophageal cancer can be prevented through early detection
of its precursor, Barrett's Esophagus,  which  can  be  eliminated  with
curative outpatient techniques; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Esophageal Cancer Action Network, ECAN, is working to
improve public awareness throughout  the  nation  of  the  link  between
heartburn  and  cancer  and  supports  progress  in  early detection and
treatment of Esophageal cancer; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, as Esophageal
Cancer 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.