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. (more…)

On Wednesday, March 17th advocates from across the country will be heading to Capitol Hill as part of C3’s fourth annual Call-on Congress.

Over 50 advocates from 17 states and the District of Columbia will participate in the 2010 Call-on Congress.

The fourth annual Call-on Congress is the chance for advocates to hear from leading experts about current issues affecting the colorectal cancer community and to meet with federal legislators and ask them to make colorectal cancer a top priority.  Over the course of three days, March 15th – 18th, the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition will train colorectal cancer advocates – patients, survivors and caregivers – on how to have successful meetings with their elected officials.  On Wednesday, March 17th, the advocates will take what they learned to the halls of Congress, armed with information, state-specific colorectal cancer statistics, and a call to action: support colorectal cancer legislation that will save money and save lives.

Representative Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), recently introduced a resolution regarding women and colon cancer (H.Res. 1053).  Also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women, and Representative Dahlkemper’s resolution helps to dispel the myth that this disease affects only men by explaining the impact of the disease on women in the United States.  Nearly 55,000 of the new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. this year will occur in women, and nearly 25,000 Americans who will die from colorectal cancer in the U.S. this year will be women.

When diagnosed at an early stage, colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 90 percent, but when diagnosed late, the five-year survival rate drops to only 10 percent.  Representative Dahlkemper’s resolution encourages women to regularly undergo screening for colorectal cancer as recommended by their doctors.

As we head into Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it is important to remember the impact this disease has on so many Americans and C3 applauds Representative Dahlkemper for introducing a resolution regarding the impact of colorectal cancer on women.

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition would like to thank the advocates from all around the country who mobilized and bombarded Congress with nearly 3,000 phone calls on Tuesday. They had one common message…”Support The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act.”

Advocates followed up C3’s very successful Call-on Congress with a one day phone blitz. Over 400 Congressional offices were reached and our voices were heard loud and clear on The Hill. (more…)

On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition advocates participating in the the 2009 Call-on Congress stopped by the House Financial Services Committee hearing that was taking place at the same time. One of our advocates sat down behind Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who was testifying at the time. Viewers of the televised hearings were then treated to the image you see above. Many eagle-eyed colorectal cancer advocates spotted the Cover Your Butt shirt immediately.

C3 advocates were visiting Capitol Hill to urge their legislators to support HR 1189, The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act.

Carlea Bauman, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), and Joe Arite

Representative Kay Granger (R-TX), C3 advocate Gordon Cole, who is a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, and C3 President Carlea Bauman will be interviewed about ways to get involved in the fight against colorectal cancer on Tuesday, March 24th at 4 PM EDT/1 PM PST.

The interview will be broadcast on the “Frankly Speaking About Cancer” internet talk radio show on the Voice America™ Network’s Health & Wellness Channel. The show is hosted by The Wellness Community President & CEO Kim Thiboldeaux.

Tune into the show and learn how you can get involved in efforts to create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. The show will also be available to download and listen after the airdate and time at the link below.

Tune in or download the show

Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) recently introduced a Congressional Resolution marking the tenth anniversary of the first Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. (more…)

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition would like to thank Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) for their continued leadership on colorectal cancer issues in Congress. With the recent reintroduction of The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (HR 1189), they have taken the initial steps needed to pass legislation that in the end has the potential to save thousands of lives. (more…)

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition has created an online petition that allows advocates to show their support for the three bills in Congress that will guarantee access to colorectal cancer screening.

Add your name to the petition today!

This information first ran on the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition’s “Latest News and Updates” blog on July 15, 2008.

Half of Americans over 50 have not been screened for colorectal cancer according to a new survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The 2005 National Health Survey interviewed 31,000 adults, including 13,500 who were over 50. It found that 50 percent of people over the age of 50 had been screened for colorectal cancer, but the other half had not. While this was an improvement over the 43 percent screening rate in 2000, it was far from desirable according to the researchers who analyzed the information. (more…)