2018 -- H 7940

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LC005199

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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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, Shekarchi, Kennedy, Marshall, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: March 14, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society encourages the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations to observe March, 2018 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 480 people in Rhode Island were diagnosed with colorectal

cancer last year and an estimated 170 people in Rhode Island died from this disease in 2017; 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 Dr. Samir

Shah, Secretary, American College of Gastroenterology.

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LC005199

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