ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 15
BY REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS AND SENATORS BARROW, FOIL, AND WHITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To designate March 2020 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Louisiana and to
commend the Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center.
WHEREAS, it is estimated that in 2020, more than one hundred thousand individuals
in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer and another forty thousand will be
diagnosed with rectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in men and women, and in 2020, 53,200 people are expected to die
because of the disease; and
WHEREAS, at present, there are more than one million survivors of colorectal
cancer in the United States; and
WHEREAS, while there is no sure way to prevent colorectal cancer, there are
numerous things individuals can do to reduce their risk of getting the disease; and
WHEREAS, the most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is to
undergo colorectal cancer screening; and
WHEREAS, similarly, maintaining a healthy weight, increasing the amount of
physical activity, limiting the eating of red and processed meats, and eating more fruits and
vegetables are also effective ways of lowering the risk of getting colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, during the month of March each year, public awareness and educational
campaigns are held on colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and symptoms; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer
(NAPRC) is to ensure that patients with rectal cancer receive appropriate care through the
use of a multidisciplinary approach in which a team of specialists work in tandem to provide
high-quality care; and
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WHEREAS, at present, there are only fifteen NAPRC accredited programs in the
United States, and the Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is the only
cancer center in the state of Louisiana to receive this accreditation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
designate March 2020 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Louisiana, and does hereby
commend Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center on attaining
accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
cancer center leadership team of the Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer
Center.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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