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JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH AS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the United States and it affects men and women equally; and
WHEREAS,  more than 50,000 people die every year 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 14% for individuals diagnosed in the so-called distant stage after the cancer has spread to other organs; and
WHEREAS,  the American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women without a family history of colorectal cancer begin colorectal cancer screenings at 45 years of age; and
WHEREAS,  colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and survivable in most cases; and
WHEREAS,  observing a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month provides a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to recognize March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.