Almost half of the colorectal cases in the United States are diagnosed at late-stages of the diseases when treatment is more difficult, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC). Significant findings of the study “Surveillance of Screening-Detected Cancers (Colon and Rectum, Breast, and Cervix) — United States, 2004-2006” include:

* Incidence rates of late-stage colorectal cancer increased with age and were highest among black men and women.
* Late-stage colon and rectum incidence rates ranged from 51.0 to 86.5, and were highest in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“This report causes concern because so many preventable cancers are not being diagnosed when treatment is most effective,” said Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “More work is needed to widely implement evidence-based cancer screening tests which may lead to early detection and, ultimately, an increase in the number of lives saved.”

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C3 President Carlea Bauman, Rep. Dan Boren, and C3 Grassroots Action Committee Chair Pam Seijo

This morning, C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition met with Representative Dan Boren (OK-2) to present him with our 2010 Congressional Champion Award.

C3 President Carlea Bauman and Grassroots Action Committee Chair Pam Seijo met with Representative Boren to present him with the award for his efforts to increase the availability of colorectal cancer screening and treatment as well as for his work to increase funding for colorectal cancer research.

After receiving the 2010 Congressional Champion Award, Representative Boren issued the following statement:

“As with many Oklahomans, my family unfortunately has experienced the pain and fear of losing a loved one to cancer. Eleven years ago I lost my mother, Janna, to colon cancer.  While serving in Congress, I have made it a priority to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and to author legislation that increases citizens’ opportunities for early detention and screening for this highly preventable disease. I thank C3 for this honor.”

Past recipients of the C3 Congressional Champion Award include Representative Kay Granger (TX-12) and Senator Ben Cardin (MD).

2010 Congressional Butt-In Generates Calls to Congress Supporting Colorectal Cancer Screening From All 50 States the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico

On March 30-31, 2010 advocates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico called their Representatives in Congress, urging them to support the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (H.R. 1189) during the annual Congressional Butt-In.

The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act (H.R. 1189) will establish a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide colorectal cancer screenings and treatment for low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals who are not eligible for Medicare.

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Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper

Along with Preventing Colorectal Cancer.org and the Prevent Cancer Foundation, C3 hosted a Congressional briefing in order to provide Members and health care staff with information about current colorectal cancer screening programs that work and pending legislation that has the potential to save thousands of lives and billions in Medicare expenditures by expanding access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment.

Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper spoke at the briefing about the impact of colorectal cancer on women and to urge support for her recently-introduced resolution.  A champion for the health care and wellness needs of women, Representative Dahlkemper discussed the importance of early detection and screening in the fight against colorectal cancer.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in both women and men in the United States, yet many people are unaware of the need to be screened for this disease.  As many as 44,000 lives a year could be saved if colorectal cancer screening was fully accessible and utilized.  Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is about educating men and women to save lives. I am proud to be part of this important effort to raise awareness and help in the fight against colorectal cancer.”

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Representatives Granger and Boren have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives supporting the observance of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Even with advances in screening technology colorectal cancer continues to be the second leading cancer killer of men and women combined.  In 2010, nearly 50,000 people in the United States will die from colorectal cancer.  The real tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening and early detection.

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