ACR196

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Assemblyman ANTHONY S. VERRELLI

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen McClellan, Simonsen, Chiaravalloti, Wimberly, Assemblywomen Vainieri Huttle, Swain, Downey, Assemblyman Houghtaling, Assemblywomen Jimenez and Timberlake

SYNOPSIS

Urges U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution urging the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower its recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45.

Whereas, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women; and

Whereas, Individuals born in the 1990s are twice as likely to develop colon cancer and four times as likely to develop rectal cancer compared to individuals born in the 1950s; and

Whereas, According to the CDC, 141,425 new cases of colorectal cancer were reported in the U.S. and 52,547 people died of this cancer in 2017; and

Whereas, The American Cancer Society (ACS) lowered the recommended age for cancer screening for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors; and

Whereas, Colorectal cancer is occurring at an increasing rate among younger adults; and

Whereas, According to the ACS, for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors, beginning colorectal screening screenings at the age of 45 will result in less colorectal cancer deaths; and

Whereas, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine; and

Whereas, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force should lower its recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45 for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The United States Preventive Services Task Force is respectfully urged to lower its recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45 for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the State to each member of the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower its recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women. Individuals born in the 1990s are twice as likely to develop colon cancer and four times as likely to develop rectal cancer compared to individuals born in the 1950s.

According to the CDC, 141,425 new cases of colorectal cancer were reported in the U.S. and 52,547 people died of this cancer in 2017. The American Cancer Society (ACS) lowered the recommended age for cancer screening for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors. Colorectal cancer is occurring at an increasing rate among younger adults. According to the ACS, for individuals who possess average cancer risk factors, beginning colorectal screening screenings at the age of 45 will result in less colorectal cancer deaths.