DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2017 AS "COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH".

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer death in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, more than 135,430 adults in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 440 new cases of colorectal cancer and 150 colorectal cancer deaths in Delaware in 2017; and

WHEREAS, the death rate for colorectal cancer in Delaware is 14.8 per 100,000; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s colorectal cancer incidence rate is 38.2 per 100,000, while the U.S. incidence rate is 40.7 per 100,000; and

WHEREAS, when adults are screened for colorectal cancer, it can be detected early and, in some cases, can be prevented; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Delaware ranked 5 ^th in the United States for the number of adults age 50 and older having received a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy; and

WHEREAS, data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance survey revealed that nearly 76.5% of Delawareans age 50 and older have received a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy; and

WHEREAS, only 39% of colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed with localized-stage disease in Delaware, for which the 5-year survival rate is 90%; and survival declines to 71% and 14% for patients diagnosed with regional and distant stages; and

WHEREAS, approximately 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 50 and 75, equaling approximately 23 million people nationwide, have not been screened for colorectal cancer as recommended; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics, rural populations, men, 50 to 64-year-olds, and low education and low-income populations are less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, an organization co-founded by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is working toward the goal of having 80% of adults aged 50 and older screened for colorectal cancer by the year 2018.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that March 2017 is recognized as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” and all citizens of Delaware are urged to recognize this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware embraces the goal of screening 80% of Delawareans aged 50 and older for colorectal cancer by 2018.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 2017 as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator McBride