U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution recently to proclaim March of this year as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.” Senators Ben Cardin, D-Md., Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., are cosponsors. Representative Donald Payne, D-N.J., introduced the bill to the House on Feb. 14.

The Senate resolution, S.Res. 41, was passed with unanimous consent this week on Feb. 25.

“Each March is an opportunity for all of us to be reminded and to remind others of this very common, very preventable disease,” said Enzi. “I have seen firsthand the experiences of people with this disease. My wife Diana is a six-year survivor. It’s not what anyone should have to go through, especially when the simple act of getting screened can prevent so much hardship later.”

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and women, killing more non-smokers than any other cancer. Every year approximately 135,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 will die from the disease.

It is also one of the most highly preventable forms of cancer. Screenings can find polyps before they are cancerous, and can detect cancer early enough for it to be treatable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.     

“This resolution will raise awareness about screenings and prevention, and possibly save thousands of lives a year. I’m proud to introduce this resolution to designate March of 2013 as National Colorectal Awareness Month.”

To read a copy of the bill, click here.