What's the matter with National Minority Cancer Awareness Week? What seemed to be a typical state Senate vote on a resolution in support of that week drew extra attention of one from one lawmaker.
"This is the type of thing we have from time to time," said state Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend). "It would be nice if eventually the day came where we just had Cancer Awareness week. Cancer is a horrible disease, we all know people who've died of cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanics, but Hispanics in general die at a lower rate than the population as a whole, so there's nothing particularly special there."
"People of color are affected disproportionately by cancer," said Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee). "Many minorities are low income, many lack health insurance. Many don't get early screening, therefore they're diagnosed at a later time. Colon cancer rates are about 17 percent higher among African American men, then among the white population. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Hispanic women, and it's usually diagnosed at a later stage. There's a disparity that is happening to minorities that is not happening to the general population."
The resolution passed on a voice vote. National Minority Cancer Awareness Week is April 19th through 25th.
AUDIO: Senators Grothman, Coggs (3:00 MP3)
