SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SR 11
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 11
Author: Alvarado-Gil (D), et al.
Introduced: 1/18/23
Vote: Majority
SUBJECT: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution proclaims January 2023 as Cervical Cancer Awareness
Month in the State of California.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted
infection in the United States and the leading cause of cervical cancer in
women. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 9
out of 10 cervical cancers are caused by HPV, making it one of the most
preventable cancers.
2) Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix, which is the lower part of
the uterus, or womb. The cervix connects the body of the uterus, or the upper
part where a fetus grows, to the vagina, or birth canal. Cancer starts when cells
in the body begin to grow out of control.
3) Cervical cancer in women can often be found early, and sometimes even
prevented, by having regular screening tests. If detected early, cervical cancer is
one of the most successfully treatable cancers. Cervical cancer was once one of
the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical
cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test.
This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops.
It can also find cervical cancer early when it is small and easier to cure.
4) In recent years, the HPV test has been approved as another screening test for
cervical cancer because almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. The
HPV test looks for infection by high-risk types of HPV that are more likely to
 SR 11
Page 2
cause precancers and cancers of the cervix. The HPV test can be used alone as a
primary HPV test, or at the same time as the Pap test, called a cotest.
5) The American Cancer Society recommends that people with a cervix who are
25 to 65 years of age, inclusive, with an average risk for cervical cancer get an
HPV test every five years. Cotesting that combines an HPV test with a Pap test
every five years is another option. If an HPV test is not available, a Pap test
alone should be done every three years.
This resolution:
1) Proclaims January 2023 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
California.
2) Encourages all Californians, the State Department of Public Health, and the
State Department of Health Care Services to observe the month and conduct
appropriate activities that support prevention, including promoting screening
and educational outreach to all eligible Californians, increase the awareness of
HPV-attributable cancer and prevention measures within the medical and public
health community, and implement programs to raise awareness about the causes
and symptoms of, as well as prevention measures for, HPV-attributable cancers.
Related/Prior Legislation
The following are the most recent measures proclaiming Cervical Cancer
Awareness Month:
 SCR 61 (Evans, Resolution Chapter 4, Statutes of 2012).
 ACR 15 (Lieber, 2007) – Died in the Assembly Rules Committee.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 1/24/23)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 1/24/23)
None received
Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520
1/25/23 15:00:46
**** END ****