2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 71
BY SENATOR CLAITOR
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request that the citizens of Louisiana recognize the lifesaving benefits of routine
colorectal screening examinations and schedule such examinations as deemed
appropriate by their physicians.
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer occurring in the
United States, with an estimated one hundred thirty-six thousand eight hundred thirty new
cases of colon cancer, thirty-nine thousand six hundred ten new cases of rectal cancer, and
seven thousand two hundred seventy new cases of anal cancer occurring during 2016; and
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men
and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with an
estimated fifty thousand three hundred ten deaths possible in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is one in twenty; and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of colorectal cancer cases are preventable
with routine screening examinations; and
WHEREAS, ninety percent of new colorectal cancer cases and ninety-five percent
of deaths attributed to colorectal cancer occur in persons over the age of fifty; and
WHEREAS, current screening guidelines recommend that all those persons aged
fifty and older obtain routine screening examinations; and
WHEREAS, screening guidelines recommend colorectal examinations starting at an
earlier age if there is a family history or symptoms of colorectal cancer are experienced; and
WHEREAS, less than thirty percent of those for whom colorectal screening
examinations are recommended are scheduling such diagnostic examinations; and
WHEREAS, colorectal specialists provide state-of-the-art surgical treatment for
colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, colorectal specialists work in conjunction with oncologists, radiologists,
and other medical professionals to provide the most appropriate and beneficial medical
treatment, resulting in optimal medical outcomes for colorectal cancer patients.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the lifesaving benefits of routine colorectal screening examinations and lifesaving
efforts by colorectal specialists.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge
Louisianians to recognize the lifesaving benefits of routine colorectal screening
examinations and to schedule colorectal screening examinations as deemed appropriate by
their physicians.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana further recognizes
the critical role of colorectal specialists, oncologists, and radiologists in providing the
optimal medical outcomes for colorectal cancer patients in Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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