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K 1181

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dana Levenberg

Proclaims April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in New York to raise public awareness about oral cancer, its risk factors, early detection, and screening.

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Bill Summary · K 1181

Summary of Bill K 1181 (2025-2026, New York)

Title

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to have the Governor of New York proclaim April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month, aligning with National Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
  • It expresses the Legislature’s purpose to recognize and promote awareness of oral cancer, its causes, detection, and treatment.

Key provisions and changes

  • Formal memorial: The bill memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to issue a proclamation designating April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in New York.
  • Observance alignment: Specifically ties the state observance to the national observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Content emphasis: While ceremonial in nature, the memorial highlights:
    • Definitions of oral cancer (cancers in the oral cavity, lips, and oropharynx).
    • Common sites (tongue, floor of mouth, lip, minor salivary glands) and histology (often squamous cell carcinomas).
    • Risk factors (smoking/tobacco use remain major; HPV-16 infection is a growing risk factor, particularly among younger populations).
    • Demographic trends (historical gender disparity has shifted; now roughly two men per every woman affected).
    • Health disparities (higher incidence and poorer five-year survival in African-American populations compared to Caucasians).
    • Symptoms and early detection indicators (e.g., non-healing ulcers, lumps, color changes, persistent mouth pain, difficulty chewing/swallowing, jaw swelling).
    • Prognosis with early detection (80–90% survival when detected early).
    • Screening recommendations (oral cancer screening to be a routine part of annual dental exams; CDC guidance for annual screening for individuals over 17, and more frequent screening for those with a history of oral cancer).

Who/what is affected

  • Government action: Requires the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Public health awareness: The proclamation is intended to raise awareness among New York residents about oral cancer, its risk factors, symptoms, screening, and importance of early detection.
  • No new regulatory or funding mandates are created in the bill itself; it is a ceremonial/recognition measure.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: The bill is an Assembly memorial resolution (A. 1181) sponsored by Assemblymember Levenberg, with Dana Levenberg as co-sponsor.
  • Current status: As of the action history, the bill was adopted by the Assembly on 2026-04-22 following referral on 2026-04-21.
  • Effectuation: Upon passage, the Governor would issue a proclamation designating April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Notes

  • This is a symbolic/ceremonial bill aimed at public education and awareness, rather than imposing new duties on state agencies or creating new programs or funding streams.
  • It relies on the executive branch to issue the proclamation and thereby promote awareness activities statewide.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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