[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 15, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   RACE FOR THE CURE OF BREAST CANCER

  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, breast cancer steals our wives, our 
mothers, our daughters, our coworkers, and our friends. For those who 
it does not kill, it changes forever.
  I speak as the spouse of a wife who has experienced mastectomy and 
chemotherapy regimens. Once a family has brushed up against breast 
cancer, it is never quite the same. It is changed forever.
  During 1994, an estimated 182,000 new cases of breast cancer will be 
detected in women. In New Jersey an estimated 6,800 cases will be 
detected. And this year 46,000 women will die because of breast 
cancer. And in my home State, approximately 1,700 women this year will 
die from breast cancer.

  The 5 year survival rate--which includes all women living 5 years 
after diagnosis, whether the patient is in remission, disease free, or 
under treatment--for localized breast cancer is 93 percent. If the 
cancer has spread--usually meaning involvement with lymph nodes--at the 
time of diagnosis, the 5 year survival rate is only 72 percent, and for 
persons with distant metastases--meaning cancer has spread to other 
parts of the body--at the time of diagnosis, the 5 year survival rate 
is a terrifying 18 percent.
  As a nation, we cannot afford to wait any longer to lead the battle 
against the primary killer of women ages 35 to 54. For in the year 
2000, over half of the women in the United States will be in this age 
group. The Federal Government has the power and the responsibility to 
allocate the necessary resources to prevent and treat breast cancer. We 
have begun to make significant strides. Federal funding for breast 
cancer research has quadrupled since 1990. However, the $410 million we 
will spend on research pales in comparison with the billions of dollars 
of medical costs and personal anguish and suffering breast cancer will 
cause our Nation and millions of its citizens this year.
  I am deeply committed to finding a cure for breast cancer. We cannot, 
however, simply sit back and wait for the cure. Each and everyone of us 
must help in the fight against breast cancer. One way to help in this 
fight is to participate in the fifth annual National Race for the Cure 
this Saturday, June 18. The purposes of the Race for Cure is to raise 
both money and public awareness about early detection and mammograms so 
as to increase the survival rate for breast cancer victims. Since the 
first race in 1990, this annual event has raised close to $2.5 million 
for breast cancer research, screening mammograms for low-income women; 
and public education programs.
  The Race for the Cure is a unique opportunity to bring together women 
and their families and friends who have been affected by breast cancer. 
In the words of Ellen Barnett, founder of the Advocacy Committee for 
Breast Cancer survivors,

       Women who live with breast cancer every day of their lives 
     know better than anyone the importance of education, research 
     and effective means of early diagnosis and treatment. Many 
     breast cancer survivors live silently with their concerns, 
     without the support and camaraderie available from being with 
     other women with similar concerns. The public image of 
     thousands of women survivors running together tells all women 
     that they are not alone and they need not endure the trauma 
     of the disease in silence.

  I will join the estimated 20,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair 
participants expected this year. I will join my family--my wife will 
participate--and my staff, those who choose to participate. I will join 
the survivors of breast cancer wearing pink visors. I will join the 
walkers and runners with pictures of loved ones they have lost to 
breast cancer pinned to their chests. And I will join those who have 
the names of survivors written on their backs to participate in the 
Race for the Cure of breast cancer that takes place this Saturday.
  Mr. President, I encourage all of my colleagues in the Senate to 
enter the race. So far, nine Senators have said they will race for the 
cure. The Vice President will race for the cure. I urge all of them and 
their staffs to participate in an effort to help to find a cure for 
breast cancer. With all of our help and the help of the American 
people, this race will not only be the best ever, but it will also put 
us on the right track to finding a cure.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The absence of a quorum having been 
suggested, the clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Let me wish the President pro tempore a good morning.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from South Dakota is 
recognized for not to exceed 5 minutes.

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