A bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) that would designate November as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month passed the U.S. Senate the same day it was introduced.
“Stomach cancer continues to leave a lasting and tragic impact on the lives of Hoosiers and Americans,” Sen. Young said on Dec. 1. “Since 2018, I have introduced this resolution to raise awareness about this deadly disease so that we can detect and treat it sooner, and hopefully save more lives.”
Sen. Young on Nov. 30 sponsored Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 481 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) to express support for the goals of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month.
Stomach cancer, the fifth-most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide, is one of the most difficult cancers to detect in the early stages of the disease, contributing to high mortality rates, according to the text of the resolution.
The resolution states that the Senate would resolve to support increased efforts to raise awareness of, and education about, stomach cancer among the general public; recognize the need for additional research into early diagnosis, screening, and treatment for stomach cancer; and encourage states, territories, and localities to support these goals.
Sen. Young first introduced the resolution in 2018 in memory of Indianapolis Star reporter and columnist Matthew Tully, who lost his battle with stomach cancer that year, according to the senator’s staff.