HR 9137

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing the month of March as "Colon
3	Cancer Awareness Month" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, colon cancer is one of the most prevalent and yet,
6	in most cases, preventable cancers, and
7	WHEREAS, among cancer cases in the State of Florida, colon
8	cancer is the second most common cause of death among adults,
9	and
10	WHEREAS, it is possible to have colon or rectal cancer and
11	not have any cancer symptoms, and
12	WHEREAS, it is estimated that 10,920 new cases of colon
13	cancer will be diagnosed among Floridians and 3,420 will die
14	from the disease during the year 2008, and
15	WHEREAS, the risk for colon cancer increases with age, with
16	more than 90 percent of all colon and rectal cancers diagnosed
17	in adults age 50 or older, and
18	WHEREAS, Floridians can significantly lower the number of
19	incidents of colon cancer and deaths from this disease by
20	complying with the American Cancer Society colon and rectal
21	cancer screening guidelines, which include beginning testing at
22	age 50, and
23	WHEREAS, approximately 41 percent of Floridians age 50 and
24	older report never having received a sigmoidoscopy or
25	colonoscopy exam, which are two of the screening exams
26	recommended by the American Cancer Society, and
27	WHEREAS, regular screenings may lower death rates by
28	detecting the disease at its earliest and most treatable stages,
29	and may also prevent some cancers by detecting and removing
30	polyps, and
31	WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society, Florida Division, has
32	engaged in a comprehensive, integrated approach to significantly
33	impact colorectal cancer in Florida through the launching of its
34	"No Excuses Campaign to Defeat Colon Cancer in Florida,"
35	focusing primarily on increasing public awareness, affecting
36	physician behavior through partnerships with health care
37	organizations, and advocating for insurance coverage, NOW,
38	THEREFORE,
39
40	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
41	Florida:
42
43	That the Florida House of Representatives recognizes the
44	month of March 2008 as "Colon Cancer Awareness Month" in Florida
45	and urges all men and women to understand the risks associated
46	with colon cancer, to take preventive steps to minimize those
47	risks, and to undergo early detection procedures in compliance
48	with the American Cancer Society's recommended colon cancer
49	screening guidelines.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.