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Senate Resolution 195
By: Senators Watson of the 1st, Lucas of the 26th, Orrock of the 36th, Hufstetler of the 52nd
and Kirkpatrick of the 32nd
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; and for other purposes.
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WHEREAS, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) dedicates time2
and resources to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness; and3
WHEREAS, ASGE represents more than 16,000 gastroenterologists and allied health care4
professionals around the world who are dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive5
health through education and advocacy and promoting excellence in gastrointestinal6
endoscopy; and7
WHEREAS, the number of uninsured or underinsured patients in the United States who have8
a positive (abnormal) CRC screening test result who get a timely follow-up colonoscopy is9
just 50 to 70 percent; and10
WHEREAS, the low follow-up colonoscopy rate can be attributed to a diverse and complex11
mix of barriers or obstacles related to the health care system, policy, and one's socioeconomic12
status and community; and13
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WHEREAS, CRC is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second
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leading cause of cancer death in women under 50 in the United States; and15
WHEREAS, CRC has a 90 percent survival rate when detected early enough; and16
WHEREAS, ASGE recommends that people who have not had colorectal cancer or polyps17
or who do not have any high-risk factors for CRC should begin getting screened for CRC at18
the age of 45; and19
WHEREAS, ASGE is working with Community Health Care Systems, Inc., which is a20
federally qualified health center that cares for patients in middle Georgia, on a project that21
is designed to increase the follow-up colonoscopy rate for uninsured and underinsured people22
who have a positive or abnormal stool-based CRC screening test; and23
WHEREAS, Community Health Care Systems is identifying and assisting hundreds of24
uninsured and underinsured patients to get screened for CRC using a stool-based DNA test25
and to get a follow-up colonoscopy if it's necessary at no cost to the patients; and26
WHEREAS, ASGE and Community Health Care Systems will support these patients with27
professional navigators from Horizons Community Solutions who will guide them through28
the full continuum of care at no cost to the patients; and29
WHEREAS, ASGE and Community Health Care Systems are collaborating on this project30
with physicians and allied health care professionals; patient navigators; legislators and31
regulators; state and local advocacy organizations such as the Georgia CRC Roundtable,32
Georgia CORE, and Fight CRC!; and community leaders; and33
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WHEREAS, gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies to prevent or detect CRC by
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removing colon polyps; and35
WHEREAS, a follow-up colonoscopy is required after a positive non-colonoscopic screening36
test result to derive the benefits of screening; and37
WHEREAS, there are several other recommended options for CRC screening; and38
WHEREAS, offering patients screening options can help increase patient adherence to39
screening.40
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body41
recognize March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and encourage eligible42
citizens to consult their health care providers and begin regular screenings.43
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ASGE's project has the potential to lead to the44
development of a public policy model and a toolkit that can be used to increase the follow-up45
colonoscopy rate for underserved people across the United States and has the potential to46
save countless lives.47
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed48
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the49
press.50
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