[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE OBSERVANCE OF COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 302, supporting the observance of Colorectal 
Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes, introduced by my 
distinguished colleague from Texas, Representative Kay Granger. This 
important legislation recognizes the devastating effects of Colorectal 
Cancer, which kills 49,960 Americans each year, and raises awareness 
regarding the realities and severities of this disease.
  Colorectal cancer includes both colon and rectal cancer and is the 
second most common cause of cancer deaths for both men and women within 
the United States. This form of cancer does not discriminate between 
men and women, race and ethnicity; however, the rates of diagnoses are 
slightly higher among the African America Community. Despite the fact 
that every 3.5 minutes someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 
every 5 seconds, someone who should be screened for this cancer is not.
  That is why this legislation is so important; we know the devastating 
effects of this type of cancer, yet we have failed to apply the 
necessary steps to address the epidemic. The survival rate of those who 
have colorectal cancer is 90 percent when detected in its early stages, 
but that rate dramatically drops to only 10 percent when colorectal 
cancer is detected after it has spread to distant organs. The death 
rate of colorectal cancer could be reduced by up to 80 percent if the 
majority of Americans age 50 or older were screened regularly for 
colorectal cancer. It is not surprising to note that uninsured 
Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with late stage colon cancer 
than patients with private insurance, and that as such only 39 percent 
of colorectal cancer patients have their cancer detected at an early 
stage. Only 18.8 percent of Americans without health coverage in the 
United States have currently been properly screened for colorectal 
cancer.

  Regular colorectal cancer screening makes economic sense because it 
has been ranked as one of the most cost effective screening 
interventions available, with the potential to save more than 30,000 
lives a year. Treatment costs for colorectal cancer are extremely high 
and are estimated at $8,400,000,000 for 2004; however, the risks 
associated with non-treatment are even higher.
  The necessity of raising awareness about colorectal cancer cannot be 
overemphasized, and I applaud this legislation for supporting the 
observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The potential deadly 
effects of colorectal cancer should encourage Americans from all walks 
of life to be tested and treated by their doctors. Colorectal cancer is 
the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of 
cancer-related death in the Western world. As such, colorectal cancer 
causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Colorectal Cancer Awareness 
Month must also raise public awareness for the need of colorectal 
cancer testing for those Americans who are traditionally unable to 
afford such screening and seek ways to alleviate this disparity. It is 
imperative that Congress find a way to ensure every American at risk is 
tested and treated in the early stages to prevent an even higher death 
rate. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month should be recognized by all 
Americans to focus on the special opportunity to offer education on the 
importance of early detection and screening.
  I am proud to cosponsor this important legislation to support the 
observance of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I strongly 
support H. Con. Res. 302 and urge all Members to do the same.

                          ____________________