House Concurrent Resolution 58

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER CANCER INSTITUTE TO COORDINATE THE MISSISSIPPI COLORECTAL CANCER ROUNDTABLE AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, for the year 2015, Mississippi had the second highest rate of diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the United States and the third highest death rate from this form of cancer, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, reliable estimates from the Mississippi Cancer Registry indicate that on an annual basis, more than 1,700 individuals in Mississippi are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 600 Mississippians die from the disease; and

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer because screening tests find polyps that can be removed before becoming cancerous; and

WHEREAS, screening tests can detect colorectal cancer early in its progression when treatment works best; and

WHEREAS, the economic costs of treating late-stage colorectal cancers are greater than the economic costs of effective colorectal screening programs; and

WHEREAS, colorectal cancer screening can effectively reduce incidence of and mortality from this form of cancer, yet one in three adults between the ages of 50 and 75 are not up-to-date with their recommended screening; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Mississippi has the third lowest colorectal cancer screening rate in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute has provided statewide leadership to increase colorectal cancer screening rates through the 70x2020 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative, a voluntary grassroots effort to ensure that at least 70% of all Mississippians are up-to-date with recommended colorectal cancer screening by the year 2020; and

WHEREAS, various partners of the 70x2020 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative have received national recognition for innovative efforts to educate the Mississippi public about the benefits of colorectal cancer prevention and screening; and

WHEREAS, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is encouraging groups to commit to an ongoing "eighty percent in every community" initiative to increase the number of people screened for colorectal cancer and eliminating colorectal cancer as a major public health problem; and

WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Cancer Institute is an active member of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable; and

WHEREAS, the stated intention of the 70x2020 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative is to end in the year 2020:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby urge the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute to coordinate an initiative to be known as the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and to submit a written report on its findings concerning colorectal cancer prevention efforts in this state to the Legislature before January 1, 2021, and each year thereafter.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mississippi Legislature does hereby affirm the commitment of this state to the goals of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable's "eighty percent in every community" initiative.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be provided to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Director of the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute.