R 074
2003 -- S 0918
Enacted 03/04/03
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING
MARCH AS "COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN
RHODE
ISLAND
Introduced
By: Senators Felag, Ruggerio, and Ciccone
Date
Introduced: March 04, 2003
WHEREAS,
Colorectal cancer (colon and rectum cancers) is the second leading cause of
cancer
deaths in the United States; and
WHEREAS,
It is estimated that in the year 2003, physicians will diagnose more than
147,500
new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States and 700 cases here in Rhode
Island;
and
WHEREAS,
In the year 2003, the disease is expected to kill an estimated 57,100
individuals
in this country and 300 Rhode Islanders; and
WHEREAS,
Less than fifty percent of individuals above age 50 receive annual
screenings
for colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS,
Adopting a healthy diet at a young age can significantly reduce the risk of
developing
colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS,
March is also designated as “National Nutrition Awareness Month” and the
prevention
of colorectal cancer is highly dependent on dietary factors; and
WHEREAS,
Regular screenings are important to the early detection of colorectal cancer
and
greatly increase the survival rate when caught in its early stages of
development; and
WHEREAS,
Education can help inform the public of methods of prevention and the early
detection
of symptoms; and
WHEREAS,
The Rhode Island Department of Health should coordinate an aggressive
educational
program around colorectal cancer in conjunction with the medical community and
the
American
Cancer Society; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate 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 is hereby authorized and directed to
transmit
a duly certified copy of this resolution to the New England Division of the
American
Cancer
Society.
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LC01540
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