WHEREAS,  the Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program has initiated a campaign for Colon Cancer Awareness Month, funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS,   the goal of having March designated as Colon Cancer Awareness Month is to increase awareness and understanding among all people in Maine, regardless of age, income and insurance status, regarding the importance and effectiveness of screening for colorectal cancer; and

WHEREAS,  colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of new cancer cases and deaths in Maine, and it is estimated that each year more than 800 people in Maine will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and that 270 people in Maine will die of this cancer; and

WHEREAS,  many deaths could be prevented with early screening for colorectal cancer, and only 66.6% of people in Maine 50 through 64 years of age reported receiving endoscopic screening within the past 10 years; and

WHEREAS,  the Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program's goal is to reduce Maine's colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality rates through the promotion and provision of early detection services and by providing no-cost colorectal cancer screening services for low-income, average-risk people in Maine over 50 years of age who are underinsured or uninsured; and

WHEREAS,  program activities through the month will include conducting statewide public and health care provider education, providing patient assistance and developing initiatives to ensure that systems and polices are in place to promote and sustain high-quality colorectal screening, diagnosis and treatment; now therefore, be it