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Notice to Readers: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month --- March 2000
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in
the United States (1). In 2000, approximately 130,000 cases of the disease will
be diagnosed, and more than 56,000 deaths will be attributed to this cancer
(1). Randomized controlled trials show that screening by fecal occult blood testing
can decrease the death rate of this disease by as much as 30%, and
prospective observational data suggest that endoscopic removal of premalignant polyps
can decrease the incidence 75% to 90% (2,3). Because screening is effective in
reducing morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer, a number of professional
societies, government agencies, and voluntary health organizations recommend screening
for colorectal cancer for persons aged >50 years
(4). Despite recommendations for screening, research indicates that many who are at risk for colorectal cancer are
not being screened (5).
Because of the impact of colorectal cancer on the nation's health, the U.S.
Senate declared March 2000 as the first National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The purpose of this designation is to increase public awareness about the disease
burden associated with colorectal cancer and to encourage people aged
>50 years to reduce their risk for colorectal cancer through regular screening examinations.
Additional information about the month, special events, and resource materials are available
on the World-Wide Web at http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal.htm.* Information
on
CDC's national colorectal cancer action campaign
Screen for Life is available at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife.
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures, 2000. Atlanta, Georgia:
American Cancer Society, 2000; publication no. 5008.00.
Mandel JS, Bond JH, Church TR, et al. Reducing mortality from colorectal cancer
by screening for fecal occult blood: Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study. N Engl J
Med 1993;328:1365--71.
Winawer SJ, Zauber AG, Ho MN, et al. Prevention of colorectal cancer by
colonoscopic polypectomy: The National Polyp Study Workgroup. N Engl J Med 1993;329:1977--81.
Winawer SJ, Fletcher RH, Miller L, et al. Colorectal cancer screening: clinical
guidelines and rationale. Gastroenterology 1997;112:594--642.
CDC. Screening for colorectal cancer---United States, 1997. MMWR 1999;48:116--21.
* References to sites of non-CDC organizations on the World-Wide Web are provided as
a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of
these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites.
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