Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; recognize March 2023
Impact
The resolution aims to motivate eligible individuals to seek regular screening for colorectal cancer and to encourage healthcare providers to facilitate these screenings, particularly among underserved populations. The low rates of follow-up colonoscopies for patients who test positive in non-colonoscopic screening tests indicate a significant public health concern, and this resolution seeks to address these disparities through increased emphasis on screening guidelines and awareness initiatives.
Summary
Senate Resolution 349 recognizes March 2023 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, emphasizing the urgency of increasing awareness and education surrounding colorectal cancer (CRC). The resolution is inspired by the statistics from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), which highlights that CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The resolution calls attention to the importance of early detection through screening, which dramatically increases survival rates.
Contention
While the resolution itself does not propose legislative changes or state law amendments, it advocates for a systematic and collaborative approach involving health systems, community programs, and policymakers to improve health outcomes related to colorectal cancer. Some potential points of contention may arise regarding funding for awareness campaigns or the allocation of resources to ensure that underserved populations receive equitable access to screening and follow-up care.