Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
03/10/2011 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR1 | |
| HCR3 | |
| HCR5 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HCR 1-PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
3:01:30 PM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1, Proclaiming November 2011 to
be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
3:02:43 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:02 p.m. to 3:04 p.m.
3:04:11 PM
CHAIR KELLER brought the committee back to order.
3:04:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETE PETERSEN, Alaska State Legislature,
explained that this was a resolution to raise awareness of
pancreatic cancer. He reported that although pancreatic cancer
was the fourth leading cause of cancer related death in the U.
S., only 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's research
funding budget was directed toward it. He shared that
pancreatic cancer was one of the few cancers that had not seen a
dramatic rise in survival rates during the last 40 years. He
reported the average life expectancy to be 3 - 6 months, and
that the percentage for survival was in the single digits. He
read from the Sponsor Statement: [Included in the members'
packets]
Increasing awareness will lead to expanded research
into locating the disease's causes, enhancing early
detection, and developing effective treatments.
Raising awareness will also lead to more knowledge
about pancreatic cancer among Alaskans and directly
enhance the good [health] and well being of our
state's residents.
3:07:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked for a reference in the resolution to
the possible causes of pancreatic cancer.
3:07:45 PM
DAVID BREMER, Staff, Representative Pete Petersen, Alaska State
Legislature, in response to Representative Herron, explained
that the risk factors included family history of the disease,
smoking, age, and diabetes.
3:08:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON suggested a conceptual amendment to
include a "whereas" for possible causes.
3:08:37 PM
CHAIR KELLER asked Representative Petersen if he was amenable to
a conceptual amendment to include the risk factors.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN said that he was agreeable to this, but
he explained that there was limited research for the areas of
risk.
3:09:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON pointed out that pancreatic cancer was
more common in smokers and obese people.
CHAIR KELLER offered wording for the conceptual amendment that
would include "potentially identified risk factors."
3:10:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT asked about the symptoms for pancreatic
cancer.
MR. BREMER, in response, said that the symptoms included weight
loss, abdominal and back pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and
jaundice.
3:10:42 PM
CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony.
3:11:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE THOMPSON, Alaska State Legislature, stated
his support for HCR 1, as it would bring awareness to the
disease. He shared his personal experience with his wife's
battle with pancreatic cancer. He pointed out that nothing
could be done, even with early detection.
3:13:04 PM
CHAIR KELLER asked about for a comparison to the other leading
cancers.
3:13:29 PM
MR. BREMER stated that lung cancer accounted for 28 percent,
colon cancer accounted for 10 percent, breast cancer accounted
for 7.5 percent, and pancreatic cancer accounted for 6 percent.
3:14:03 PM
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony.
3:14:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON moved to adopt a conceptual amendment to
add that pancreatic cancer was more common in smokers, and
people who were obese.
3:15:38 PM
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
3:15:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT moved to report HCR 1, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHCR 1(HSS) was
reported from the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.