Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States for both men and women and is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are 2,540 new cases of colorectal cancer in the state of Alabama this year, and it is important for the public to understand that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable in most cases, if detected early; and

WHEREAS, every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of colon cancer deaths can be prevented through proper screening and early detection; and

WHEREAS, the survival rate of individuals who have colorectal cancer is 90 percent when detected in the early stages versus only a 10 percent survival rate when colorectal cancer is diagnosed after it has spread to other organs; and

WHEREAS, of the 51,690 people expected to die of colorectal cancers in 2012, early detection could save more than half; and

WHEREAS, only 39 percent of colorectal cancer patients have their cancers detected at an early stage; and

WHEREAS, regular colorectal cancer screening has been ranked as one of the most cost effective screening interventions available, with the potential to save 40,000 lives a year; and

WHEREAS, if the majority of people in the United States age 50 or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate from this disease could plummet by up to 70 percent; and

WHEREAS, greater awareness of this cancer and the means to prevent it could save the lives of hundreds of people in the state of Alabama each year; and

WHEREAS, observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month during the month of March would provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim March 2012 as

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 24th day of February 2012.

      

Governor Robert Bentley