Donate

President Biden designates March 2021 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and urges all Americans to get appointments Back on the Books

March 8, 2021

President Joe Biden

In 2000, the Prevent Cancer Foundation led the charge for the very first designation of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by the White House and both houses of Congress.

More than 20 years later, the important work of reducing colorectal cancer diagnoses and deaths continues. We are grateful that President Biden recognizes the importance of raising awareness of this disease and officially designated March 2021 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

He also took the opportunity to remind Americans to get all routine medical appointments and cancer screenings Back on the Books.

Back on the Books“I know how hard it is right now to be mindful of preventive care,” he wrote. “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted so many parts of our lives, including, for far too many, the routine checkups and screenings that are so vital to guarding against disease. I urge every American to take the precautions they need in order to stay vigilant against cancer—don’t delay your recommended screenings, doctor’s visits, and treatments. You and your healthcare provider can discuss how to balance the risks and benefits of cancer screening, taking into account medical history, family history, other risk factors, and the time between screenings.”

Biden’s words echo what we at the Foundation have confirmed through our benchmark surveys—people are continuing to postpone, cancel and miss their routine cancer screenings for fear of being exposed to the coronavirus. While the concern is understandable, missing appointments can increase your risk for other serious health issues, including preventable cancers.

Talk to your doctor. Visit Back on the Books to learn more about what safety precautions are in place, what questions to ask your doctor, and even what screenings you should be scheduling based on your age. It’s time to take charge of your health and get your routine screenings back on the books today.

No Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Resources

Filter:

News | Feb 20, 2023 Statement from the Prevent Cancer Foundation on ovarian cancer prevention guidance
News | Jan 6, 2023 You never forget your first time…getting a mammogram
News | Dec 22, 2022 The future of lung cancer screening
News | Dec 15, 2022 How creative cancer fundraising made all the difference
News | Nov 22, 2022 Small Business Saturday: Preventing Cancer à la Women’s Fashion
News | Nov 15, 2022 Family Health History Day: Why talking about family cancer risk should be your new holiday tradition
News | Nov 10, 2022 Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention – Charlie Capito, spouse of Senator Shelley Moore Capito
News | Oct 27, 2022 Dear LGBTQ+ family, let’s talk about breast cancer
News | Oct 24, 2022 Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention – Mary Himes, spouse of Rep. Jim Himes
News | Oct 21, 2022 What’s it like to get a mammogram?
News | Oct 13, 2022 Fight over fear
News | Oct 13, 2022 Response to NEJM study on colonoscopies
News | Oct 7, 2022 Capitol Hill goes to Sacramento
News | Sep 28, 2022 To all of the women at mile 20
News | Sep 27, 2022 I advocated for my health. Here’s how.
News | Sep 22, 2022 1,700 miles and counting for cancer prevention
News | Sep 20, 2022 Monthly Cancer Prevention Update – September 2022
News | Sep 14, 2022 What experts want you to know about gynecologic cancers
News | Sep 1, 2022 5 ways to make your charcuterie board healthier
News | Aug 19, 2022 Monthly Cancer Prevention Update – August 2022
News | Aug 17, 2022 Congressional spouses highlight community work to break down screening barriers from coast to coast
News | Aug 11, 2022 Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention – Senator Roy Blunt and Abigail Blunt
News | Aug 3, 2022 Monthly Cancer Prevention Update – July 2022
News | Aug 3, 2022 Monthly Cancer Prevention Update – June 2022

Sign up to get the latest about cancer prevention and early detection directly in your inbox.