PRINTER'S NO. 704
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
125
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, WHEELAND, V. BROWN, BENNINGHOFF,
SCHWEYER, YOUNGBLOOD, HARHART, PICKETT, HARKINS, KOTIK,
BAKER, DEAN, BISHOP, KIM, J. HARRIS, FARINA, COHEN, VEREB,
LONGIETTI, CAUSER, MILLARD, DAVIS, KILLION, KIRKLAND, DUSH,
SONNEY, RAVENSTAHL, FREEMAN, DiGIROLAMO, BOBACK, BROWNLEE,
GINGRICH, SCHLOSSBERG, MATZIE, THOMAS, HELM, CALTAGIRONE,
HENNESSEY, KINSEY, ACOSTA, ROZZI, McNEILL, FRANKEL, ROSS,
PETRI, DeLUCA, KAUFFMAN, MARSICO, GOODMAN, KAVULICH,
C. PARKER, WATSON, O'NEILL, D. COSTA, MAJOR, MURT, MAHONEY,
GILLEN, WARD AND READSHAW, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 26, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of March 2015 as "National Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation,
colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death
among men and women in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In its Cancer Facts & Figures 2014 report, the
American Cancer Society estimated that 136,830 new cases of
colorectal cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2014,
with the diagnoses affecting 6,790 Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimated that 50,310
deaths occurred from colorectal cancer in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer and polyps in the beginning stages
do not always cause symptoms, which may include rectal bleeding,
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stomach pain, aches, cramps or unexplained weight loss; and
WHEREAS, Mortality rates for colorectal cancer have decreased
over the past two decades in both men and women due to declining
incidence rates and improvements in early detection and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is highly preventable with regular
screenings beginning at 50 years of age to detect and remove
precancerous polyps; and
WHEREAS, According to the Office of Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services, if everyone 50 years of age or older would have
regular colorectal cancer screening tests, at least 6 out of 10
colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented each year with early
detection and treatment, including the removal of polyps, which
are grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum,
before they become cancerous; and
WHEREAS, Since 2000, March has been designated as "National
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" by the Prevent Cancer
Foundation, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy,
the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and the Foundation for
Digestive Health and Nutrition; and
WHEREAS, "National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month"
generates widespread awareness about colorectal cancer and
encourages people to learn more about disease prevention through
maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet; and
WHEREAS, Routine screenings promote education of the public
on the methods of prevention and early detection; and
WHEREAS, Regular screening tests detect colon polyps before
they become cancerous, save lives and reduce mortality by both
decreasing incidents and detecting a higher proportion of cancer
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at early, more treatable stages; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2015 as "National Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania and urge its residents to follow these
actions to prevent colorectal cancer by:
(1) Being physically active for at least 30 minutes a
day, at least five days a week.
(2) Maintaining a healthy weight.
(3) Quitting smoking.
(4) Having not more than one drink a day for women and
two drinks a day for men.
(5) Eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains to remain
healthy and fit.
(6) Reducing the intake of red meat and cutting out
processed meat.
(7) Beginning regular screenings at 50 years of age and
earlier for those at higher risk, which is especially
important when a person has no symptoms.
(8) Talking to a doctor about tests for cancer, such as
colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy,
double-contrast barium enema, stool occult blood test, stool
immunochemical test and stool DNA test;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge its members,
the Department of Health and health care professionals across
this Commonwealth to recognize "National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to increase awareness about the
disease and how to prevent it through a healthy lifestyle and
proper screenings.
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