[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 565 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                       October 9, 1998.
Whereas 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime;
Whereas nearly 180,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this 
        year, and nearly 44,000 women will die of the disease;
Whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death of women between the 
        ages of 40 and 55;
Whereas it is universally recognized that regular mammograms are the best way to 
        detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages, and that 
        mammograms can detect small breast cancers up to 2 years earlier than 
        they can be detected through self-examination;
Whereas early detection, including regular mammography screening with prompt 
        treatment, could result in one-third fewer breast cancer deaths among 
        women over age 50;
Whereas the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recognize 
        that regular mammograms are beneficial to women in their forties and 
        recommend that women begin mammography screening by age 40;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined in 1995 that 
        nearly half of American women age 50 and older, and more than one-third 
        of American women age 40 to 49, had not received a mammogram in the 
        previous year;
Whereas annual mammograms are essential in early detection of breast cancer, and 
        biopsies are the only way to diagnose or rule out breast cancer with 
        certainty;
Whereas it is vital that women have information about breast biopsy and the 
        biopsy options that are available to them;
Whereas cutting-edge technology in women's health is creating more options for 
        women; and
Whereas greater awareness of the importance of mammograms leads to more 
        mammograms and biopsies: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) all American women should take an active role in the fight 
        against breast cancer by all the means that are available to them, 
        including self-examination, physician examination, and regular 
        mammograms;
            (2) the role played by community organizations and health care 
        providers in promoting awareness of the importance of regular mammograms 
        and of biopsy options and in helping to expand the availability of low-
        cost mammograms and biopsies should be recognized and applauded; and
            (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
                    (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the importance of the 
                early detection (through mammography and biopsy) and prompt 
                treatment of breast cancer;
                    (B) continue to fund research so that the causes of and a 
                cure for breast cancer may be discovered; and
                    (C) continue to make mammograms and biopsies more widely 
                available to women over 40.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.