WHEREAS,  colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the United States and it affects men and women equally; and

WHEREAS,  every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer; and

WHEREAS,  the vast majority of colorectal cancer deaths could have been prevented through proper screening and early detection but only 39% of colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed at an early stage; and

WHEREAS,  the survival rate of individuals who have early-stage colorectal cancer is 90% but the survival rate is only 10% for individuals diagnosed after the cancer has spread to other organs; and

WHEREAS,  the national goal established by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is that 80% of Americans 50 years of age and older be screened by 2018; and

WHEREAS,  if the majority of people in the United States 50 years of age or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate from this disease could plummet by up to 70%; and

WHEREAS,  colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and survivable in most cases; and

WHEREAS,  observing a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month would provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening; now, therefore, be it