For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 8, 2001

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, 2001
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

     Last year, approximately 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in the United States.  This is a startling number.  Late diagnosis is one reason why colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for Americans. The disease strikes men and women with almost equal frequency and often progresses without symptoms.  Fortunately, colorectal cancer is usually curable when discovered early, and early diagnosis is possible through regular screenings.  Regular screenings are particularly important for persons age 50 or older.  Regular screenings are also important for individuals considered at higher risk for the disease.

     Widespread screening for colorectal cancer could save up to 30,000 lives a year, if all cases were found at an early stage.  To raise awareness about the disease and to encourage regular screening, the Cancer Research Foundation of America, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, and the American Digestive Health Foundation have joined together to encourage Americans to observe March 2001 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2001 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  By supporting continued education about this disease and research into treatment and prevention, Americans can help stop colorectal cancer and save many lives.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                              GEORGE W. BUSH

                                 # # #

Printer-Friendly Version

Email this page to a friend

Issues Economy Iraq Education National Security Homeland Security More Issues En Español Hurricane Relief   |   News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations Executive Orders Radio      |   News by Date   |   September 2004   |   August 2004   |   July 2004   |   June 2004   |   May 2004   |   April 2004   |   March 2004   |   February 2004   |   January 2004   |   December 2003   |   November 2003   |   October 2003   |   September 2003   |   August 2003   |   July 2003   |   June 2003   |   May 2003   |   April 2003   |   March 2003   |   February 2003   |   January 2003   |   December 2002   |   November 2002   |   October 2002   |   September 2002   |   August 2002   |   July 2002   |   June 2002   |   May 2002   |   April 2002   |   March 2002   |   February 2002   |   January 2002   |   December 2001   |   November 2001   |   October 2001   |   September 2001   |   August 2001   |   July 2001   |   June 2001   |   May 2001   |   April 2001   |   March 2001   |   February 2001   |   January 2001   |   Talk Back Ask the White House White House Interactive   |   Appointments Nominations Application