Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), alongside Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), is introducing the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act to help address the recent rise in colorectal cancer rates in youth.
According to recent studies, this kind of cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for Americans under 50, despite being highly preventable and treatable when treated early.
What does this bill do? This bipartisan bill would provide funding to states to help individuals get screened for colorectal cancer, increase public awareness, and support health care professionals.
It also serves as a companion bill to House Resolution 5162, introduced to the House of Representatives last year. The bills share the same name and content while serving to ensure that action is taken in both Chambers of Congress.
What lawmakers are saying:
- Sen. Ossoff: “Early cancer detection saves lives, and too many Georgians have shared heartbreaking stories with me about losing loved ones to colorectal cancer. I’m introducing this bipartisan bill with Senator Britt to expand early detection of colorectal cancer and better protect young Georgians from this devastating disease.”
- Sen. Britt: “The staggering rise in colorectal cancer we’re seeing across the country demands action. We know that this especially aggressive cancer is affecting younger Americans now more than ever. We must give states and healthcare providers the resources they need to better inform and treat the public, which is why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Ossoff.”
Further Context: Nearly 5,200 Georgians are diagnosed with this kind of cancer each year, and colorectal cancer cases in Georgians under 50 jumped from around 7 per 100,000 people in the early 2000s to nearly 11.2 in 2022.
The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act confronts this by authorizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award competitive, five-year grants to states and territories.
With these grants, states will be able to support early detection and diagnostic testing for young individuals identified as being at increased or high risk.
States will also be able to enhance targeted education for vulnerable and marginalized groups with public awareness campaigns and clinical outreach.
