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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 67
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
HEALTH/CANCER: Provides for the Louisiana Colorectal Cancer Roundtable to be
coordinated by the LSU Health Sciences Centers
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To authorize and request the School of Public Health of the Louisiana State University2
Health Sciences Center at New Orleans and the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center of the3
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, jointly, to4
coordinate an initiative to be known as the Louisiana Colorectal Cancer Roundtable5
and to report findings concerning colorectal cancer prevention efforts to the6
legislature annually.7
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the second highest rate of diagnosis of colorectal cancer8
in the United States and the fourth highest death rate from this form of cancer; and9
WHEREAS, reliable estimates indicate that on an annual basis more than two10
thousand three hundred individuals in Louisiana are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and11
more than eight hundred sixty individuals die from the disease; and12
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer because13
screening tests find polyps that can be removed before becoming cancerous; and14
WHEREAS, screening tests can detect colorectal cancer early in its progression when15
treatment works best; and16
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if every17
person aged fifty or older had regular screening tests, as many as sixty percent of deaths18
from colorectal cancer could be prevented; and19
WHEREAS, the five-year survival rate for patients with localized colorectal cancer20
is ninety percent, but only thirty-nine percent of all diagnoses occur at this stage; and21 HCR NO. 67
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WHEREAS, colorectal cancer screening can effectively reduce incidence of and1
mortality from this form of cancer, yet one in three adults between the ages of fifty and2
seventy-five are not up to date with their recommended screening; and3
WHEREAS, educational efforts can help convey valuable information to the public4
concerning methods of prevention and screening, as well as about symptoms for early5
detection; and6
WHEREAS, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is encouraging groups to7
take an "eighty percent by 2018" pledge to commit to efforts aimed at increasing the number8
of people screened for colorectal cancer and eliminating colorectal cancer as a major public9
health problem.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby11
authorize and request the School of Public Health of the Louisiana State University Health12
Sciences Center at New Orleans and the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center of the Louisiana State13
University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, jointly, to coordinate an initiative to be14
known as the Louisiana Colorectal Cancer Roundtable.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the roundtable shall report findings concerning16
colorectal cancer prevention efforts in this state in the form of a written report to the17
legislature on or before January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby affirm19
the commitment of this state to the goals of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable's20
"eighty percent by 2018" initiative.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the22
chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans and the23
chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport.24
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HCR No. 67
Authorizes and requests the School of Public Health of the LSU Health Sciences Center at
New Orleans and the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center of the LSU Health Sciences Center at
Shreveport, jointly, to coordinate an initiative to be known as the La. Colorectal Cancer HCR NO. 67
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Roundtable. Requests the roundtable to report findings concerning colorectal cancer
prevention efforts to the legislature by Jan. 1, 2015, and annually thereafter.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill.
1. Added reference to the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center of the LSU Health Sciences
Center at Shreveport and provided that the Colorectal Cancer Roundtable be
coordinated jointly by that institution and the School of Public Health of the LSU
Health Sciences Center at New Orleans.