[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY

                                 ______


                           HON. MARILYN LLOYD

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 30, 1994

  Mrs. LLOYD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
designates October 19, 1994, as ``National Mammography Day.'' Last year 
the President signed this measure into law.
  While efforts to enact a comprehensive health care reform have fallen 
by the wayside, there are still legislative initiatives, such as 
National Mammography Day, that address important steps toward reform. 
For example, early detection and treatment are critical steps in 
holding down medical costs and saving lives--particularly with breast 
cancer.
  According to the American Cancer Society, 182,000 women will be 
diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, and 46,000 women will die from 
the disease. This disease affects 80 percent of women that have no 
prior family history of breast cancer. There is no known cure for 
breast cancer. Until we find a cure, early detection and treatment are 
the best chances that we have against its early stages.
  Mammograms can reveal the presence of small cancer up to 2 years 
before regular clinical breast examinations, or breast self-
examinations [BSE]--saving as many as a third more lives.
  No women can be considered immune from this disease. As a breast 
cancer survivor myself, I realize the importance of mammography 
detection. Greater awareness of this technology is a key element in 
combating breast cancer.
  Mr. Speaker, every year for the past 5 years, National Mammography 
Day has received greater participation and interest. Mammography 
screening awareness is one of many fundamental steps in educating the 
public about the importance of early detection and treatment of 
disease.
  I am pleased to introduce this resolution and I hope that my 
colleagues will join me in the fight against breast cancer.

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