Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States, leading to more than 900,000 deaths per year worldwide.  In Pennsylvania, approximately 34% of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer die from the disease.

What is especially concerning is the alarming rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses among adults under the age of 50.  While both young men and women are affected by this rise, females under 50 years old are especially impacted as their cancer incidence rates are 82% higher than their male counterparts. 

Increased awareness of the causes and risk factors associated with colorectal cancer can encourage early screening and diagnosis, saving countless lives in the process.  For that reason, I intend to introduce a resolution designating March 2026 as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.