06-R 132

2006 -- S 2933

Enacted 03/15/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 2006 TO BE

"COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Perry, C Levesque, Walaska, McBurney, and McCaffrey

Date Introduced: March 15, 2006

     WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United

States; and

     WHEREAS, In 2006, the disease is expected to kill nearly 57,000 individuals in this

country; and

     WHEREAS, Screening for colorectal cancer is underutilized with fewer than 50% of the

men and women above the age of fifty receiving annual screenings for colorectal cancer. Regular

screenings can save lives by detecting polyps that lead to colorectal cancer. The early detection

and removal of these growths prevent the development of colorectal cancer; and

     WHEREAS, The benefits of early detection of colorectal cancer are dramatic, with a 5-

year survival rate of 90% when it is found at an early stage, and 66% when it has spread only to

nearby organs or lymph nodes; and

     WHEREAS, Currently, only 38% of colon cancers are found at the earliest and most

treatable stages and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10% when found at later stages; and

     WHEREAS, The prevention of colorectal cancer is also highly dependent upon dietary

factors. Adopting a healthy diet at a young age can significantly reduce the risk of developing

colorectal cancer; and

     WHEREAS, Regular diagnostic screenings can prevent the disease and save many lives.

Education can help inform the public of methods for prevention, and make the public aware of

symptoms for early detection of the disease; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims March, 2006 to be "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode

Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate calls upon the people of the state to observe this month by

learning about the prevention of colorectal cancer and by encouraging all persons age fifty and

older, or otherwise at high risk, to be screened for the disease because with early detection there

is effective treatment available; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Cancer Council, Inc.

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LC02762

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