SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 34

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 3, 2022

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Joint Resolution No. 34.

      As amended by this committee, this resolution designates March as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

      Triple Negative Breast Cancer is a form of breast cancer that accounts for roughly 15 to 30 percent of all diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases in the United States.  More than 53,700 new breast cancer cases in 2019 in the United States were Triple Negative Breast Cancer, with higher prevalence among younger women, Black and Hispanic women, women with type 2 diabetes, women carrying excess weight in the abdomen area, and women with certain gene mutations.  Due to its aggressive behavior, Triple Negative Breast Cancer grows quickly and is more likely to return following successful treatment as compared to other types of breast cancer.  Breast cancer patients with an early diagnosis can often be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery; however, there are limited therapies available for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

      This resolution would allow the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing March as “Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and call on public officials and the residents of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments make various technical corrections to address typographical errors.