R 131
2017 -- H 5961
Enacted 03/21/2017

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MARCH AS "COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Morgan, Morin, McLaughlin, and Hull
Date Introduced: March 21, 2017

     WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society encourages the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations to observe March, 2017 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month;" and
     WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men
and women combined in Rhode Island as well as in the United States; and
     WHEREAS, An estimated 490 people in Rhode Island were diagnosed with colorectal
cancer this year and an estimated 160 people in Rhode Island died from this disease in 2016; and
     WHEREAS, When colorectal cancer is found early, it has a survival rate of 80-95
percent, but left undetected, survival rates for colorectal cancer can plummet to 10 percent; and
     WHEREAS, There are often no symptoms of colorectal cancer, but regular screenings
can significantly reduce the number of deaths from this disease by detecting cancerous or pre-
cancerous conditions early, when treatment is most effective; and
     WHEREAS, Education can help inform the public of methods of early detection and
prevention. Colorectal cancer is largely preventable with screening tests that find and remove pre-
cancerous polyps; and
     WHEREAS, Working with the legislature, the American Cancer Society remains
committed and dedicated to informing the public about colorectal cancer prevention and
screening; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of March as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Month" in Rhode Island; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the American Cancer Society, and Anne-Louise
B. Oliphant, Vice President, Communications, American College of Gastroenterology.
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LC002233
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