Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; recognize March 2025
The resolution points out alarming statistics regarding CRC, noting that many uninsured or underinsured patients with abnormal screening results do not receive timely follow-up colonoscopies. By designating March 2025 as a month of focus on CRC awareness, the bill seeks to improve patient access to screening services and promote understanding of the disease. This may lead to increased screenings, which are essential for early detection, thus potentially lowering mortality rates associated with colorectal cancer.
Senate Resolution 195 aims to officially recognize March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This initiative is driven by the need to promote awareness and encourage early screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), which is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The resolution highlights the role of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and other healthcare professionals dedicated to improving digestive health and patient care through education and advocacy efforts surrounding CRC screenings.
While SR195 is primarily an awareness initiative, discussions surrounding healthcare access and screening for CRC reveal underlying issues related to socioeconomic barriers that many patients face. The resolution does not propose changes in law or funding, but by emphasizing the importance of screening and follow-up care, it may stimulate dialogue on healthcare policy reforms in the future. The success of initiatives like those from ASGE and Community Health Care Systems is essential in overcoming these barriers, and the bill could serve as a model for similar projects across the nation.