[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF THE FIFTH ANNUAL NATIONAL RACE FOR THE CURE

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise in support of the fifth annual 
National Race for the Cure, which will be held in Washington, DC, this 
Saturday, June 18, 1994. Race for the Cure is a breast cancer benefit 
run sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The 
foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker in honor of her 
sister, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. Since that time, 
the Komen Foundation, through events such as the Race for the Cure, has 
raised more than $23.5 million to fund research and promote education, 
awareness, and early detection of the disease. Three-fourths of the 
money raised by the 48 races nationwide goes toward local treatment and 
screening activities, while one-fourth of the funds goes to the Komen 
Foundation to fund national research activities.
  The statistics on breast cancer remain startling. This year, an 
estimated 46,000 American women will die of breast cancer, and another 
182,000 will be diagnosed with the disease. Breast cancer is the 
leading killer of young African-American and Hispanic women. Low-income 
women have survival rates that are 9 percent lower than women with 
higher incomes. Of particular concern to me is the fact that native 
Hawaiians have the highest incidence of breast cancer among all racial 
and ethnic groups in this country.
  Considerable attention is given to the risk factors associated with 
breast cancer, which include family history of the illness, a prior 
diagnosis of cancer, an early first period, late menopause, and birth 
of a first child after the age of 30. Yet, an estimated 60 to 80 
percent of the women who develop breast cancer do not have any of these 
risk factors.
  Because the cause of breast cancer remains unknown, and because the 
disease is not fully understood, it cannot be prevented. However, 
advancements have been made in the management of breast cancer. As with 
many other life-threatening illnesses, early detection of breast 
cancer, coupled with appropriate and timely followup, remains the most 
effective method to ensure successful treatment options and improved 
survivability. According to the American Cancer Society, early 
detection procedures have increased the 5-year survivor rate for 
localized breast cancer from 78 percent in the 1940's to 93 percent 
today. However, much work remains. Many women still do not know how to 
self-examine, and many who would benefit from a screening mammogram do 
not seek one because of fear, cost, or lack of access to information.
  On Saturday, Honorary National Chairs Vice President Al Gore and Mrs. 
Tipper Gore will join more than 15,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair 
participants in the fifth annual National Race for the Cure. I would 
like to encourage my colleagues and their staff and families to join in 
this event to heighten public awareness about early detection and raise 
funds for breast cancer research and screening for low-income women.

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