WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined in the United States; and

        WHEREAS, it is estimated that in the year 2006, 145,290 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States; and

        WHEREAS, in the year 2006 the disease is expected to kill an estimated 56,290 individuals in this country; and

        WHEREAS, an estimated 640 individuals in the state of Idaho were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the year 2005; and

        WHEREAS, screening for colorectal cancer is underutilized, and less than 50 percent of individuals above age 50 receive annual screenings for colorectal cancer; and

        WHEREAS, adopting a healthy diet at a young age can significantly reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer; and

        WHEREAS, regular screenings can detect polyps that lead to colorectal cancer and can save lives; and

        WHEREAS, education can help inform the public of methods of prevention and symptoms of early detection; and

        WHEREAS, the state of Idaho should help inform the public about colorectal cancer prevention and screening;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the month of March, to be

C O L O N   C A N C E R   A W A R E N E S S   M O N T H

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord two-thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirtieth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred sixteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE