--- title: HR 601. Support for increased awareness of stomach cancer; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr601 cite_as: HR 601, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr601 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr601.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr601/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71370 date: 2025-03-13 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr600.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr602.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr601.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 601 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-13 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Deborah Silcox - Lee Hawkins - Mark Newton - Karen Mathiak - Teddy Reese text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR601/2025 upstream_id: 2006985 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - stomach cancer awareness - public health - cancer screening - Georgia House resolutions --- # HR 601. Support for increased awareness of stomach cancer; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3346 House Resolution 601 By: Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Hawkins of the 27th, Newton of the 127th, Mathiak of the 82nd, and Reese of the 140th A RESOLUTION Expressing support for increased awareness of stomach cancer; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, stomach cancer, known as gastric cancer, is the fifth most common cancer2 globally and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide; and3 WHEREAS, stomach cancer, accounts for about 1.5 percent of all new cancers diagnosed4 in the United States each year; and5 WHEREAS, 26,890 new cases of stomach cancer were reported in 2024; and6 WHEREAS, there are disparities in stomach cancer incidence and mortality among racial and7 ethnic groups in the United States; and8 WHEREAS, while there has been a decline in stomach cancer incid ence, the lack of9 awareness and focus on risk factors and early detection through screening and surveillance10 may cause individuals at high risk for the disease to dismiss their symptoms; and11 WHEREAS, Georgia ranks 11th in mortality from stomach cancer; and12 H. R. 601 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3346 WHEREAS, increased advocacy, awareness, research and education may bring improved13 outcomes for patients in earlier detection and treatment.14 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that15 the members of this body express support for increased awarenes s of stomach cancer and16 recognize that such awareness may lead to earlier detection for patients.17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized18 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the19 public and the press.20 H. R. 601 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution expresses support for greater awareness of stomach cancer, citing the state's high mortality ranking and calling attention to the value of early detection. ### Plain-language summary This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it is a formal statement from the House of Representatives expressing support for increased public awareness of stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer. The text cites national statistics, including that stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and that 26,890 new cases were reported in the United States in 2024, along with disparities in incidence and mortality among racial and ethnic groups. The resolution notes that Georgia ranks 11th in the nation in stomach cancer mortality and states that a lack of awareness about risk factors and screening may lead people to dismiss symptoms. The House resolves that it supports increased awareness and recognizes that awareness may lead to earlier detection. It also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press. ### What it does - Formally states that the Georgia House of Representatives supports increased public awareness of stomach cancer. - Recognizes that greater awareness of stomach cancer symptoms and risk factors may lead to earlier detection for patients. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press. - Cites statistics on stomach cancer incidence, mortality disparities, and Georgia's national ranking without creating any new legal requirement. ### Who it affects The resolution mainly affects public perception and awareness rather than any specific regulated group. It touches Georgians at risk of stomach cancer, patients and families dealing with the disease, and public health advocates focused on cancer screening and early detection. ### Why it matters Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not fund programs, change screening requirements, or alter medical practice. Its main effect is symbolic: putting the House's support for stomach cancer awareness on the public record and highlighting Georgia's relatively high mortality ranking for the disease. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses cite that stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. - States that 26,890 new stomach cancer cases were reported in the United States in 2024 and notes racial and ethnic disparities in incidence and mortality. - Notes that Georgia ranks 11th in mortality from stomach cancer. - The resolving clause has the House express support for increased awareness and recognize its link to earlier detection. - A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-13) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-13) - Sponsors: Deborah Silcox, Lee Hawkins, Mark Newton, Karen Mathiak, Teddy Reese - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71370 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr601.md?full=1