SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 177
WHEREAS, Colon cancer is a dangerous and all-too-common
disease that afflicts individuals across the nation and around
the globe, and a considerable number of cases of colon cancer
arise from an inherited genetic condition; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 4.2 percent of the total U.S.
population will develop some form of colon cancer in their
lifetime; out of all colon cancer cases, about 5 to 10 percent are
hereditary, meaning that they are linked to genetic mutations
passed down by the individual's mother or father; overall, about
one in every 200 people is born with an inherited condition that
increases his or her chance of developing colon cancer; and
WHEREAS, Hereditary colon cancer conditions affect
individuals at younger ages, often before regular colorectal
cancer screenings begin at age 50; compounding the issue, medical
professionals are frequently undertrained in the diagnosis and
treatment of hereditary colon cancers, which can be an obstacle
to effective and timely intervention; and
WHEREAS, Early screening and treatment are crucial to
improving outcomes for patients with hereditary colon cancer; it
is important to identify families with inherited syndromes
linked to colorectal cancer or with a history of colorectal
cancer or its associated risk factors; the members of such
families may benefit from receiving regular screenings at a
younger age than the standard recommendation; and
WHEREAS, Increased public awareness is a powerful weapon
in the fight against colon cancer, and Texans can greatly benefit
from assessing their family history of the disease and learning
more about screening, genetic testing, counseling, and other
actions that they can take to protect their health; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby recognize the fourth week of March 2021 as
Hereditary Colon Cancer Syndrome Awareness Week and encourage
all citizens to learn more about this serious condition.
Campbell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 23, 2021.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate