U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Katie Britt of Alabama have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to colorectal cancer screenings. The legislation was brought forward as rates of the disease continue to rise among younger Americans.
The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act would provide federal funding to states to expand colorectal cancer screening, increase public awareness about the disease, and provide additional support and resources to health care professionals.
Recent research has identified colorectal cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related death among Americans younger than 50, despite the disease being considered highly preventable and treatable when detected early.
“Early cancer detection saves lives, and too many Georgians have shared heartbreaking stories with me about losing loved ones to colorectal cancer,” Ossoff said in announcing the legislation. “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.”
The Georgia trends mirror the national trends, too.
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, nearly 5,200 Georgians are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. Among Georgians younger than 50, the incidence rate increased from approximately seven cases per 100,000 people in the early 2000s to nearly 11.2 cases per 100,000 in 2022.
Britt, an Alabama Republican, said the increase in cases among younger Americans demonstrated the need for the federal funding.
“The staggering rise in colorectal cancer we’re seeing across the country demands action,” Britt said. “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.”
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum and often develops from abnormal growths known as polyps. Screening can identify precancerous polyps before they become cancerous and can also detect cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is generally more effective.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults between ages 45 and 75, with screening for adults between 76 and 85 considered on an individual basis.
The legislation introduced by Ossoff and Britt focuses on providing resources to states to help individuals obtain screenings while also expanding public education and supporting health care professionals involved in prevention and early detection.
Specific funding levels and implementation details were not included in the announcement.
The newly introduced Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act will now have to move through the congressional committee and legislative process before it could become law.
