Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women combined, but there is currently no cure; and

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer affects men and women equally; and

WHEREAS, every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer; and

WHEREAS, the national goal established by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is 80 percent of Americans ages 50 and older be screened by the year 2018; 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, it’s critical that all people, of all ages, know the signs and symptoms of the disease; 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 2017, 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 1st day of March 2017.

Robert Bentley

Governor