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JOINT RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE AWARENESS OF LYNCH SYNDROME
WHEREAS, over 600,000 persons in the United States have Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers, but fewer than 5% of those persons are currently diagnosed; and
WHEREAS,  Lynch syndrome is a hereditary predisposition presenting a high lifetime risk of contracting a variety of cancers, including up to an 85% lifetime risk of colon cancer and a 65% lifetime risk of endometrial cancer; and
WHEREAS,  Lynch syndrome presents higher-than-average risks of contracting ovarian cancer, gastric tract cancers, hepatobiliary cancers, renal pelvic cancers, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer and other cancers, often at an early age; and
WHEREAS,  knowing one's family medical history of cancers may prompt genetic testing; and
WHEREAS,  a positive genetic test will qualify most people for annual cancer screening and cancers may be detected early and treated or removed, often before becoming life-threatening; and
WHEREAS,  the numbers of cancer deaths may be reduced as a result of public awareness of Lynch syndrome; and
WHEREAS,  thousands of lives in Maine may be saved as the result of timely diagnoses of Lynch syndrome; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to encourage everyone to be aware of Lynch syndrome and to take any necessary steps possible for the prevention of cancer and early detection of treatable cancer.