Supporting the designation of March 2022 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Whereas colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and woman in the United States; Whereas colorectal cancer is the second leading combined cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States; Whereas the incidence—the number of new cancers per 100,000—of colorectal cancer adenocarcinoma in adults between the ages of 40 to 49 years has increased by almost 15 percent from 2000–2002 to 2014–2016; Whereas in 2022, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 151,030 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 52,580 Americans will die from it; Whereas colorectal cancer is one of the most highly preventable forms of cancer because of a growing number of more widely available screening tests that can detect polyps that can be removed before becoming cancerous; Whereas colonoscopies, immunochemical tests, fecal-occult blood tests, and multi-target stool DNA tests screening tests can detect the presence of colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best; Whereas the most important predictor of colorectal cancer survival is stage at diagnosis and the relative survival rate for colorectal cancer is 64 percent at five years following diagnosis; Whereas The American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force now recommend individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer should begin regular screenings starting at age 45 and continue through age 75; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if every individual aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented; Whereas the 5-year survival rate for patients with localized colorectal cancer is 91 percent, but only 39 percent of all diagnoses occur at this stage; Whereas colorectal cancer screenings can effectively reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, yet, 1 in 3 adults over 50 years of age are not up to date with recommended colorectal cancer screening; Whereas the decrease in colorectal cancer diagnosis during the COVID–19 pandemic due in part to delayed or deferred screening and testing deprives at-risk individuals from the benefits of early detection and intervention; Whereas the President’s Cancer Panel established in 1971 when the National Cancer Act was signed by President Richard Nixon monitors the activities of the National Cancer Program and reports to the President of the United States on barriers to progress in reducing the burden of cancer; Whereas the President’s Cancer Panel has found that Black and American Indian/Alaska Native men are more likely to be diagnosed with or die from colorectal cancer than other populations; Whereas the President’s Cancer Panel has found that Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations also are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of disease; Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and symptoms are held during the month of March each year; and Whereas educational efforts can help provide information to the public of methods of prevention and screening, as well as about symptoms for early detection: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate awareness and educational activities; and (3) supports the goal of the President’s Cancer Moonshot in reducing cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years, and improving the experience of living with and surviving cancer.

Summary: This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.