Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

March 20, 2025

Colorectal Cancer Cases on the Rise; ‘Butt’ Awareness is Key

It’s not often that during a brief encounter, perhaps waiting in line at a coffee shop, someone talks to you about their butt, or about your butt, and then makes a suggestion.

But I became that guy. Allow me to explain.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and 11 months ago, I was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer.

I have worked in the General Assembly for more than 16 years and have always been somewhat hesitant when it comes to messaging and legislation promoting “awareness” of a topic.

Personally, I viewed awareness campaigns as a long game of sorts. The play is to make the world aware of the subject’s importance, translating to people being more aware of what problems to avoid or address early. Potentially, this sets up public support of legislation that may address or even fix a problem.

I’m thinking that colors, ribbons and catchy slogans have their place. When a clothing designer coined the phrase “Save the Ta Tas,” sure, it struck a nerve with me, having lost my mother to breast cancer in 1999. 

But I struggle to play the long game. Whatever it is, I want it now.

Now, considering my prior 11 months, I am much more appreciative of awareness.

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. That is two more than the average class size in Pennsylvania high schools. Imagine knowing that a classmate from your high school English class will at some point be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that routine screening begin at the age of 45, or 40 if there is a family history of colorectal cancer.

But that changed from the ages of 50 and 45 very recently – why? 

There will be more than 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2025, as estimated by the American Cancer Society. In people younger than 50 years of age, rates have increased by 2.4% per year from 2012 to 2021. It’s the second deadliest cancer in the United States despite it being highly preventable.

How has treatment been going? Mine began with radiation and chemotherapy, which have been completed. While the tumor has been eliminated, my doctors are concerned that remnants remain. A pending surgery is likely to end with the need of a permanent colostomy bag. 

Yet, I consider myself lucky because of the many who will spend years chasing metastasized colorectal cancer in their livers, lungs, spines and brains, and sometimes leading to a premature death.

In a best-case scenario, screening tests that can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed, would have caught it. At 52 years old, had the five-year drop in the recommended screening age occurred earlier, things may have been different for me and others. 

So certainly, my view of awareness campaigns has changed and why I took Rep. Cooper up on her offer for me to draft this column.

And why I have been talking to strangers about their butt. About my butt. Friends and neighbors, please, be aware. 

You can find more resources about early and regular screenings on the CDC website. For additional details, visit colorectalcancer.org.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.


Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Applications Open - The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), is now open!

Created by the Legislature under Act 89 of 2024, the program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and agree to work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation. 

There are over 460 eligible programs of study or majors that lead to in-demand occupations in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health and criminal justice. Awards will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2025-26 academic year.

For details about the program and eligibility, visit PHEAA.org/GrowPA. 

Introducing Our Youth to Trout Fishing! - Just a reminder next Saturday, March 29, is Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day across the Commonwealth. 

To participate, youth anglers (those under the age of 16) must have either a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. Also, the following Saturday, April 5, is the first day of trout season. If you haven’t already, be sure to buy your fishing licenses and permits and get your gear organized. More information about the mentored youth program, as well as a link to obtain a permit or license, is available on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) website, fishandboat.com, or the FishBoatPA mobile app.


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper