March 2020: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States; and,

 

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with timely screening to find and remove pre-cancerous polyps; and,

 

WHEREAS, it is estimated that almost 148,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and over 50,000 people died of colorectal cancer in 2019; and,

 

WHEREAS, Native American and African American males have significantly higher incidence rates for colorectal cancer compared to other racial and gender groups; and,

 

WHEREAS, incidence rates of colorectal cancer among adults under the age of 50 continues to rise; and,

 

WHEREAS, the national goal established by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is to strive to increase timely colorectal cancer screening rates to 80 percent in every community for all Americans eligible for screening; and,

 

WHEREAS, it is critical that people of all ages know the signs and symptoms of the disease; and,

 

WHEREAS, observing a 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, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2020 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan.