2007 Senate Joint Resolution 70
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: designating the month of March in each year as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Whereas, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country; and
Whereas, more than 145,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 55,000 Americans will die from colorectal cancer this year; and
Whereas, in Wisconsin nearly 2,350 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 930 will die in the next year from the disease; and
Whereas, colorectal cancer affects people regardless of their age, race, or sex; and
Whereas, men have a slightly higher rate of colorectal cancer than women; and
Whereas, African-Americans have a higher rate of colorectal cancer incidence and death than Caucasians; and
Whereas, colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer; and
Whereas, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent when colorectal cancer is diagnosed at the localized stage, but the survival rate is only 10 percent when colorectal cancer is not diagnosed until the distant stage; and
Whereas, screening and early detection saves lives; and
Whereas, many incidences of colorectal cancer, and deaths resulting from colorectal cancer, could be prevented if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening; and
Whereas, colorectal cancer can be prevented through early identification and removal of precancerous polyps, detectable only through screening; and
Whereas, early detection is the key to survival against colorectal cancer and more than half of all colorectal cancers can be prevented by early screening; and
Whereas, nine out of ten colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, yet less than half of all Wisconsinites age 50 or older have had a recommended colorectal cancer screening in the past five years; and
Whereas, in comparison 70 percent of female Wisconsinites have had mammograms; and
Whereas, many factors contribute to the low screening rate for colorectal cancer, such as lack of public education and awareness about prevention and screening, negative attitudes about screening procedures, and the absence of symptoms; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature designates March of each year as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and encourages all Wisconsinites to get the appropriate screenings to prevent colorectal cancer; and, be it further
Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the families and caretakers of all colorectal cancer patients in Wisconsin; and, be it further
Resolved, That we honor those Wisconsinites we have lost to colorectal cancer, desire to provide hope to those that are fighting against this disease, and celebrate the survivors of colorectal cancer.
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