HR 7: Endometrial cancer as public health concern; recognize

House Resolution 7EX

By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Lim of the 98th, and Cannon of the 58th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing endometrial cancer as a significant public health concern in the State of Georgia and promoting broad awareness and the importance of prevention, screening, and treatment; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, endometrial cancer, the most common type of uterine cancer, accounts for approximately 95 percent of all uterine cancer cases and develops when cells in the lining of the uterus mutate or change and become malignant; and

WHEREAS, it ranks as the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with approximately 66,000 cases diagnosed annually; and

WHEREAS, endometrial cancer primarily affects postmenopausal women, with the average age at diagnosis being approximately 60 years, and is uncommon among women younger than 45 years of age; and

WHEREAS, uterine cancer incidence has increased in recent decades and is now the fourth most common cancer in women; and

H. R. 7EX

WHEREAS, approximately 3.1 percent of women in the United States will be diagnosed with uterine cancer during their lifetime, and nearly 900,000 women are currently living with a history of uterine cancer; and

WHEREAS, data from the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry within the Georgia Department of Public Health indicates that from 2019 through 2023, the incidence rate of uterine corpus cancer (cancer of the body of the uterus) among women in Georgia was 25.4 cases per 100,000 women, and from 2020 through 2024, the mortality rate from uterine corpus cancer was 5.6 deaths per 100,000 women; and

WHEREAS, the uterine corpus cancer death rate in Black women is almost double that in White women (9.0 versus 4.6 deaths per 100,000, respectively), likely due to disparities in access to high-quality care; and

WHEREAS, in 2026, an estimated 68,270 cases of uterine corpus cancer will be diagnosed and an estimated 14,450 women will die from the disease in the United States, of which an estimated 2,050 diagnosed cases and 490 deaths are projected to occur in the State of Georgia alone; and

WHEREAS, factors that increase an individual's risk of developing endometrial cancer include older age, obesity, hormonal changes, early menstruation, late menopause, genetic predisposition, and taking hormone therapy for breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, common symptoms of endometrial cancer, including abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, and other gynecologic symptoms, may serve as important warning signs that warrant prompt medical evaluation; and H. R. 7EX

WHEREAS, while there are no standard routine screening tests for endometrial cancer, there are several methods currently under study in clinical trials including pap test, transvaginal ultrasound, and endometrial sampling; and

WHEREAS, because endometrial cancer frequently presents with early symptoms, including abnormal vaginal bleeding, approximately 68 percent of cases are diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment outcomes are generally most favorable; and

WHEREAS, the five-year survival rate for endometrial cancer is 96 percent when diagnosed at an early stage and remains confined to the uterus, but it falls to 22 percent once the cancer has spread to distant organs, underscoring the critical importance of early detection and timely treatment; and

WHEREAS, treatment for endometrial cancer varies based on the stage and characteristics of the disease and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these approaches; and

WHEREAS, increasing awareness among patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers can contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved access to care, and better health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, recognizing endometrial cancer and raising awareness of its impact can help foster greater understanding of the disease and encourage individuals to seek appropriate medical care when symptoms arise; and

WHEREAS, increased investment in endometrial cancer research is urgently needed to develop better screening methods, improve treatment options, and reduce mortality, H. R. 7EX

particularly for Black and other high-risk populations disproportionately represented in Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize endometrial cancer as a serious and growing public health treat affecting women across Georgia and the nation and the importance of increasing awareness of endometrial cancer and its impact on individuals, families, caregivers, and communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.

H. R. 7EX