In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution designating April 2026 as Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month in Pennsylvania.
 
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 22,070 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2025, and approximately 16,250 lost their lives to the disease. It is among the deadliest cancers, with only about one in five patients surviving five years.
 
Unfortunately, esophageal cancer often goes undetected until it reaches later stages, when treatment carries higher risks and produces poorer outcomes. By recognizing the month of April 2026 as “Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month,” we can generate a greater understanding of this disease and promote earlier detection and prevention efforts
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution.