LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2014 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2014 as Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer
and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally; and
WHEREAS, Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with colorectal
cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, The vast majority of colon cancer deaths can be prevented
through proper screening and early detection; and
WHEREAS, Only 39 percent of colorectal cancer patients have their
cancers detected at an early stage; and
WHEREAS, The survival rate of individuals who have early stage colo-
rectal cancer is 90 percent but is only 10 percent when diagnosed after
it has spread to other organs; and
WHEREAS, If the majority of people in the United States age 50 or
older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate from
this disease could plummet by up to 70 percent; and
WHEREAS, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Amer-
ican Indians, and Alaskan Natives are significantly less likely to be
screened for colorectal cancer compared to Whites; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable in
most cases; and
WHEREAS, Observing a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month during the
month of March would provide a special opportunity to offer education on
the importance of early detection and screening; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local. State and national levels to support the patients as well as
their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2014 as Colorec-
tal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.