* 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.”

The CDC report is the first to highlight the nationwide incidence of late-stage cancer diagnosis and cancer screening prevalence, the incidence rates of late-stage cancers differed by age, race/ethnicity, and state.

The CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program currently funds colorectal cancer screening programs in 25 states and 4 tribal organizations. However, we need your help to make this program permanent! In order to expand the CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program nation-wide and allow the CDC to cover treatment costs we need to get Representative Kay Granger’s “Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act” enacted into law. If you haven’t already done so, please take a minute to call your Representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1189.

How to Call Your Representative
* Dial the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative (you’ll need to know your Rep’s name).
* Once you are connected to your Representative’s office, identify yourself as a constituent.
* Leave a message asking your Representative “to cosponsor H.R. 1189 to save thousands of lives and save Medicare billions.”

Want to help increase awareness of the importance of early detection and screening in your city and state? Download our Proclamations 101 toolkit and request a proclamation recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month from your city council, mayor, and/or governor. Our toolkit includes sample letters to the editor and press releases you can use to get the word out about the importance of early detection and screening. The toolkit and more information is available online at http://link.fightcrc.org/proclamations101.

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).

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.

Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) and sponsor of H.R. 1189, released the following statement:

“Like advocates across the country, finding ways to effectively fight colorectal cancer is a very personal issue for me.  I look forward to the day when we have a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program in place.  Such a program will save thousands of lives and save billions of taxpayer dollars in reduced Medicare expenditures.  I thank the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and the advocates from across the country who took the time to call Congress today for their support of my bill.  Together we can get H.R. 1189 enacted into law.”

Carlea Bauman, President of the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, released the following statement:

“Today colorectal cancer advocates from across the country spoke up and urged their Representatives to support legislation that will strike a blow against this disease that kills 50,000 Americans each year. I applaud them for their passion and commitment. I am also grateful for the partnership of the Prevent Cancer Foundation on this effort.  Together we will see the vision of a national screening and treatment program for colorectal cancer become a reality.”

Lisa Hughes, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Prevent Cancer Foundation, released the following statement:

“Constituent voices have a major impact on Members of Congress and their policy priorities.  The overwhelming show of support for H.R. 1189 demonstrates a clear need for a Federally-supported screening program for colorectal cancer, and we are hopeful that Congress will act to pass this legislation.  We extend our thanks to those that took the time to call today, and to our partners in this effort, C3: the Colorectal Cancer Coalition.”

While the recently enacted health care reform legislation will lower the cost of preventive services like colonoscopies for many Americans, the health care reform legislation will not do anything to increase awareness about the importance of early detection and screening. Today, even among those with health insurance, screening rates for colorectal cancer are much too low – less than half of those who should be screened get screened.

When colorectal cancer is detected early and treated, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent. However, less than 50 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and older have been screened according to recommended guidelines. Due to low screening rates, less than 40 percent of colorectal cancers are found early. Education and outreach included in HR1189 are crucial to improving these rates.

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.”

Dr. Laura Seeff, Acting Branch Chief, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spoke about the CDC’s colorectal cancer control programs.  The CDC’s cancer control programs have been highly successful in increasing population-based screening rates.  The program began as a demonstration project at five sites, and Congress recently provided the funding to expand the program to twenty-six states and tribal territories.  The CDC program is the model for the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act introduced by Congresswoman Kay Granger.

Representative Granger’s health care advisor, Theresa Vawter, attended the briefing and spoke about the bill and why even with health care reform we still need H.R. 1189 enacted in order to increase population-based screening rates and win the fight against colorectal cancer.

Dr. John Marshall, Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Georgetown University Hospital Associate Director, Clinical Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center spoke about colorectal cancer from the clinician’s perspective.  Dr. Marshall spoke of the frustration of seeing patients every day in his practice that he shouldn’t see simply because those individuals who should be screened for colorectal cancer continue to delay and/or avoid screening.  He also gave an overview for attendees about current screening rates.

The briefing was moderated by Dr. Steven Morris, Chair Person and Founding Board Member, Preventing Colorectal Cancer.org and President, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates.  It provided Congressional staff and other attendees with an overview of the current state of colorectal cancer screening and programs.

Representative Boren issued the following statement explaining the importance of observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:

“Like far too many Americans, my life has been touched by cancer.  Twelve years ago I lost my mother, Janna, to colon cancer.  I understand too well the importance of catching this type of cancer early.  Colorectal Cancer is a leading killer in the United States that is made even more tragic  by the fact that early detection procedures are available to prevent much of the suffering and death caused by it.  By creating greater awareness of the disease and its available treatments through events like Colorectal Awareness Month, we can show that this is one cancer that we have the tools to fight back against.  I would like to commend the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition for their hard work and dedication to raising awareness about this serious, yet highly preventable disease.”

Representative Granger issued the following statement explaining the importance of observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:

“Eleven years ago colorectal cancer was a disease that not many people were talking about.  In November 1999, a resolution passed the Senate designating March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The House passed a supporting resolution in March 2000.  In the years since, advocacy groups like the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition have increased awareness about colorectal cancer and thousands of Americans have been screened.  The more we talk about this disease, and the more we encourage our family, friends, and neighbors to get screened – the more lives we can save.”

Take a minute and call your Representative at 202-224-3121 and ask them to cosponsor H.Res. 1114, so that this important Resolution can be scheduled for floor consideration by the full House of Representatives.

From left to right, Carlea Bauman (C3 President), Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Joe Arite (C3 Policy and Grassroots Manager)

Representative Granger, who’s father was affected by colorectal cancer, is the lead sponsor of The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (HR 1738). HR 1738, will create a national screening program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a focus on uninsured and underinsured Americans.

We would like to once again thank Representative Granger for everything she does and ask all of you to TAKE ACTION and urge your Representative to sign on as a cosponsor of the bill.