2023 House Resolution 110

Whereas, Brain tumors, specifically glioblastoma, have become recognized in recent years as one of the deadliest cancers; and

Whereas, May has long been recognized across America as Brain Tumor Awareness Month in an effort to raise public awareness about the importance of symptoms and advanced treatment options. Brain tumors continue to be one of the most difficult cancers to detect in the early stages of the disease, which contributes to high mortality rates; and

Whereas, There are an estimated 770 new diagnoses of brain tumors in Michigan in 2023 and an estimated 620 Michigan residents will die from a brain tumor in 2023. Brain tumors can be deadly and can severely impact the quality of life of those fortunate enough to survive this disease. Brain cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among children and young adults; and

Whereas, Brain tumors have the highest per-patient initial cost of care for any cancer group with an annualized mean net cost of care approaching $150,000, and the highest annualized mean net costs of last-year-of-life care, relative to other cancers at $135,000 to $210,000 per patient; and

Whereas, More than any other cancer, brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a patient’s life; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has attained national recognition as a leading center of excellence in the field of brain tumor treatment and research as a result of the number of patients traveling to Michigan for clinical trial participation, grant dollars locally used to create jobs, and professionals specializing in brain tumors across the state; and

Whereas, Michigan is proud to be home to high level brain cancer centers such as the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital and Rogel Cancer Center at University of Michigan. We encourage Michigan residents to continue to be vigilant and proactive when it comes to their healthcare; and

Whereas, Despite the numbers of brain tumors diagnosed annually and their devastating prognosis, there have only been four FDA-approved drugs and one device to treat brain tumors in the past thirty years; and

Whereas, To date, there have been no drugs developed and approved specifically for malignant pediatric brain tumors. The four FDA-approved drugs for brain tumors have provided only incremental improvements to patient survival, and mortality rates have remained relatively unchanged over the past 30 years; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 14-20, 2023, as Brain Tumor Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We support the goals of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, encourage efforts to increase awareness of and education about brain cancer among the general public of Michigan and recognize the need for additional research into diagnosis, screening, and treatments for brain tumors. We urge all Michiganders to use this month as an opportunity to educate themselves about brain cancer.