| R 157 |
| 2024 -- S 2795 Enacted 03/21/2024 |
| S E N A T 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: Senators Ruggerio, Pearson, Gallo, Miller, Lawson, F. Lombardi, de la Cruz, Rogers, Zurier, and McKenney |
| Date Introduced: March 21, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society encourages the citizens of the State of Rhode |
| Island to observe March, 2024, as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month"; and |
| WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths |
| among men and women combined in Rhode Island as well as in the United States; and |
| WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, in 2024 there will be an |
| estimated 152,810 new cases of colon and rectal cancer in the United States and 53,010 deaths |
| from colorectal cancer. In Rhode Island in 2024, there will be an estimated 470 new cases of |
| colorectal cancer, and 160 deaths from colorectal cancer; and |
| WHEREAS, When colorectal cancer is found early, it has a survival rate of 90 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, In 2021, our dear friend and colleague, Senator Maryellen Goodwin was |
| honored with the American Cancer Society's "National Distinguished Advocacy Award", the |
| organization's highest recognition, for her efforts to educate and bring awareness to colorectal |
| cancer, which included championing the passage of the "Maryellen Goodwin Colorectal Cancer |
| Screening Act" that mandated full coverage for preventive screenings and colonoscopies; 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 Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims March of |
| 2024, as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month"; 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. Jonathan |
| A. Leighton, MD, FACG, American College of Gastroenterology. |
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| LC005676 |
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