Ohio House Passes Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Bill

COLUMBUS –State Representative Cindy Abrams’ (R-Harrison) legislation to designate February 12 as Cholangiocarinoma (pronounced kuh-lan-jee-uh-kaar-suh-NOW’-muh) Awareness Day, or House Bill 537, was favorably passed by the Ohio House on Wednesday. 

“I’m very pleased by the overwhelming support for this legislation,” said Abrams. “It is my sincere hope that designating February 12 as Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Day will bring us one step closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.”

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct cancer, with no preventative or early detection procedures. Due to the cancer’s low occurrence, less than 10,000 people diagnosed each year, cholangiocarcinoma is often misdiagnosed or not detected until it has advanced to Stage 4, metastatic cancer.

No cure has been identified for Cholangiocarcinoma, leading most patients to turn to experimental clinical trials, aggressive surgery paired with chemotherapy and radiation, and, finally, palliative care when those methods prove unsuccessful.

 “If more lives can be saved by simply bringing more awareness to the diagnosis, then the need for the legislation is clear,” said Abrams. “Every attempt to amplify advocacy and promote education tells these patients that they matter. I hope this bill allows them the opportunity to feel heard, understood, and valued.”

H.B. 537 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.