[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
  Sadly, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related 
deaths among both men and women in this country, including over 2,000 
Ohioans, but it doesn't have to be.
  As the American College of Gastroenterology reminds us, colon cancer 
screenings can prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. In 
fact, evidence shows that colonoscopies could prevent over 50 percent 
of colorectal cancer deaths in the U.S. When colon cancer is detected 
early, the survival rate climbs to 90 percent. The American Cancer 
Society reveals that screenings have reduced the rate of colon cancer 
incidences by 30 percent over the last 10 years. Still, more needs to 
be done.
  Mr. Speaker, as we observe Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, I urge 
all Americans, particularly those over 50, to talk to their doctors and 
ask if screenings are right for them. Cancer is a killer, and colon 
cancer can be more deadly than most, but we can fight back by taking 
proactive steps to diagnose and combat the disease at its outset.

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