Davis presents resolution making March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

AUGUSTA — Sen. Paul Davis (R-Piscataquis) presented a joint resolution to the Maine Senate on Feb. 25 recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Davis’ wife Patty was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014, and he has become a strong advocate for screening and early detection. The survival rate of people who have early-stage colorectal cancer is 90 percent, but that drops to 10 percent for those diagnosed after the cancer has spread. Out of the 300 Mainers’ deaths of colon cancer each year, 270 could be prevented with proper screening.

“Over the last year, my family and I number among the thousands of Maine families whose lives are affected by cancer. We have been one of the fortunate families, however, as after surgery and months of treatment my wife has been declared cancer free,” Davis said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to be screened, and am hopeful this resolution will raise awareness and encourage people to be screened.”