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To designate March 2016 as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month”
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WHEREAS, while colorectal cancer diagnosis and death rates have been decreasing each year over the last ten years since the push for screening began, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, more than 130,000 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2015, and almost 50,000 people died from it, as reported by the National Cancer Institute; and
WHEREAS, it is particularly important for vulnerable communities to be educated since disparities in colorectal cancer screening lead to higher rates of death for those populations from this preventable disease; and
WHEREAS, the likelihood of having colorectal cancer is greater for people of African-American or Eastern European descent and those with inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if every individual aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented; and
WHEREAS, Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and symptoms are held during the month of March each year; and
WHEREAS, educational efforts can help provide to the public information on methods of prevention and screening, as well as symptoms for early detection: Now, therefore, be it; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
(1) supports the designation of March 2016, as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” and the goals and ideals of that Month; and
(2) encourages the residents of Columbus to observe the month with appropriate awareness and educational activities.