R 213

2020 -- S 2899 Enacted 06/18/2020

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH, 2020, AS "COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United

States for men and women combined; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, more than 145,600 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal

cancer and approximately 51,000 Americans will die from it; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 60 percent of colorectal cancer cases and 70 percent of

deaths occur in those aged 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, Although colorectal cancer is largely preventable, one in three adults over

50 years of age are not up to date with recommended colorectal cancer screening; and

WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy allows for the detection and

removal of polyps, or abnormal growths, that could become cancerous, as well as for the early

detection of colorectal cancer when treatment can be most effective; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that if all precancerous

polyps were identified and removed before becoming cancerous, the number of new colorectal

cancer cases could be reduced by 76 to 90 percent; and

WHEREAS, A colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy is a highly effective preventive

service, but for too many Americans, the screenings either aren't fully covered by their health

insurance or aren’t affordable due to high out-of-pocket costs; and

WHEREAS, Annually, medical expenditures related to treating colorectal cancer costs

about $14 billion; and

WHEREAS, On March 6, 2019, H.R.1570 - Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer

Screening Act of 2019, which would eliminate unexpected costs for Medicare beneficiaries when

a polyp is discovered and removed, was introduced in the United States Congress; and

WHEREAS, If Americans received regular screenings for colorectal cancer, thousands of

deaths could be prevented each year; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening and proclaims March,

2020, to be "Colorectal Cancer Screening Month"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby urges the United States Congress to support and

pass H.R.1570 - Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2019; 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 Rhode Island Cancer Action Center, and

members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation.

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LC004350

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