PA HR127

Designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania, aligning with the national recognition established since February 2000

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with approximately 34% of diagnosed Pennsylvanians dying from the disease

An estimated 154,000 new colorectal cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025, with rates increasing among adults younger than 55 years of age

Screening recommendations now advise starting at age 45 rather than 50, with regular screenings potentially preventing up to 60% of colorectal cancer deaths

The FDA approved the first blood test for colorectal cancer screening in July 2024, providing a less invasive alternative to traditional screening methods