[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
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 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 185) to 
designate October 1994 as ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,'' 
and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gutierrez). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Virginia?
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to 
the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins] who is the chief sponsor 
of House Joint Resolution 311.
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support of my bill, H.J. Res. 311 
which designates October 1994 as National Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month. With the support of more than 250 of my colleagues, the generous 
donation of time and energy by Mr. Elmer Cerin who helped encourage 
cosponsorships, and the assistant of Chairman Clay who quickly brought 
this resolution to the floor, I am pleased that once again, October 
will be designated as ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.''
  I regret that the need for this resolution is so great. The tragic 
facts, however, are that this year, more than 182,000 women are 
expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 46,000 women and 300 
men will die from it. My State of Illinois, alone, will lose 2,200 
women to the disease. Most tragic of all is the fact that the cause and 
cure of breast cancer remain unknown.
  With increased funds earmarked especially for breast cancer research, 
I am hopeful that we will eventually be able to find the cause and a 
cure for this terrible disease and dramatically reduce the incidence 
and mortality rate of breast cancer in the United States. Until that 
time, however, we must use the only weapon that is available to use at 
this point. Early detection only through self-examination, examination 
by our doctor and mammograms--is our only real weapon in the battle 
against this dreaded disease. If breast cancer is detected early, it 
can be treated and lives can be saved. In fact, in my State of 
Illinois, it is estimated that 3,795 lives were saved during the last 
decade because of early detection.
  In order to detect the cancer early and dramatically increase the 
numbers of survivors, however, we need to continually stress the 
importance of early detection. For the past several years, National 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has provided an opportunity for 
congressional offices, women's organizations, community groups, news 
programs, magazines, and newspapers to do so in meaningful ways.
  Clearly, we have a long, tough road ahead of us until this disease is 
finally conquered. In the meantime, however, I hope that we can 
continue to work together to make National Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month a time of heightened awareness of the need for early detection by 
all women and those who love them.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I 
commend my good friend and colleague the gentlewoman from Illinois, for 
sponsoring this very important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation of objection, I yield to the 
gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] for comments on National 
Breast Cancer Month.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois [Mrs. 
Porter] for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate Joint Resolution 185, 
to designate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of us stand 
together in support of this resolution each year, but its passage 
continues to be critical.
  Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that in 1994, 46,000 women will die from 
breast cancer, and another 182,000 women will be diagnosed with the 
disease. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between 
the ages of 35 and 54. Seventy-five percent of all breast cancers occur 
in women with no known risk factors. One out of eight women will be 
diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in their lifetime; in 1960, the 
number was 1 in 20 women.
  Over the past several years, this commemorative resolution has been 
critical in bringing public attention to this epidemic and educating 
women about breast cancer. Mr. Speaker, we are moving in the right 
direction; funding for breast cancer has been substantially increased 
in the past several years. But we must be vigilant in keeping this 
momentum going by ensuring access for all women to appropriate methods 
of detection and treatment for breast cancer and by ensuring that 
breast cancer research continues to be well funded.
  Mr. Speaker, I recently participated in a hearing held by the 
Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits, on which I serve as 
ranking Republican member, during which we discussed the need to expand 
the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to cover high dose 
chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplants [HDC/ABMT], the 
treatment that has been effective for many women with very advanced 
stages of breast cancer, multiple myleloma, and epithelial overian 
cancer. I am pleased to announce that OPM has announced that every plan 
participating in FEHBP will soon be required to cover HDC/ABMT. I want 
to congratulate OPM Director, Jim King, and Curtis Smith of OPM, who 
were instrumental in this effort.
  I commend the gentlewoman from Illinois for her sponsorship of this 
critical resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mrs. LLOYD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to lend my strong support 
for passage of S.J. Res. 185, designating the month of October as 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I commend my friend and colleague, 
Representative Collins for her continued commitment and leadership in 
this area.
  In 1994 alone, 182,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 
and 46,000 women will die of this dreaded disease. The epidemic 
proportions of this disease affects not only women and their families 
but also costs this Nation over $6 billion in medical costs. It is the 
most common cancer among women in the United States and its incidence 
is on the rise.
  National Breast Cancer Month can bring about changes in the way women 
receive health care in this country by increasing the public awareness 
of this dreaded disease, and by encouraging the practice of early 
detection techniques such as self-examination and mammography.
  As a breast cancer survivor, I personally know of the value of early 
detection and the need to spread awareness of this disease. Until a 
cure for breast cancer is found, women must concentrate on prevention. 
Early detection does save lives.
  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pleasure to 
support S.J. Res. 185 which designates October 1994 as National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month.
  During the last year, our Nation has seen a number of exciting 
changes in the area of breast cancer research. Promising developments 
in gene identification give hope to every mother who has had breast 
cancer. As a breast cancer survivor and a mother, grandmother, and 
great grandmother I pray for the day when there will be early 
identification and a cure for this dreaded disease.
  Until that day, however, it is absolutely essential that women and 
men know the facts. Breast cancer can kill and early detection is the 
best means of survival. Women must perform a monthly basic self 
examination, obtain a yearly breast examination by a health 
professional, and obtain a mammogram after the age of 40. Let October 
1994 be a reminder to women and their families to use these tools for 
early detection. Let October 1994 be a reminder to Congress that we 
have much more work to do in the fight against breast cancer. 
Approximately 46,000 women are expected to die this year from this 
devastating disease and that is 46,000 too many. Congress must work 
together to make early detection techniques more affordable and 
accessible to women.
  S.J. Res. 185 deserves your support and I know it will have mine. 
Knowledge is the key if we are to win the war against breast cancer.
  Mr. GILMAN, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of Senate 
Joint Resolution 185 which designates October 1994 as ``National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month.''
  Mr. Speaker, I continually find the statistics on breast cancer, and 
the mortality rate from breast cancer highly distressing. An estimated 
180,000 new cases of breast cancer among women were diagnosed in the 
United States during 1992. Approximately one of every nine women will 
develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Additionally, breast cancer 
occurs rarely in men. Moreover, breast cancer incidence rates have 
increased about 3 percent a year since 1980. Some of this increase is 
believed to be due to screening programs detecting tumors before they 
become clinically apparent.
  In spite of these shocking statistics many women do not practice 
routine breast examinations or utilize today's advanced mammography 
technology. I hope designating October as ``National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month'' will reveal to all Americans the importance of 
prevention and early detection, because one in every five deaths from 
breast cancer could be avoided by early detection.
  Educating the public on the warning signals of breast cancer is 
essential to combating this life-threatening disease. Breast changes 
that persist, such as a lump, thickening, swelling, dimpling, skin 
irritation, distortion, retraction, scaliness, pain, or tenderness of 
the nipple must be brought to the attention of a physician. Early 
detection and treatment can save lives.
  Statistics show that women with early stages of breast cancer, when 
the disease is still localized, experience a 92-percent survival rate, 
while the survival rate for women with more advanced regional cancer is 
only 71 percent. Even more tragic is the fact that the survival rate 
for women with breast cancer which has advanced to more severe stages 
is only 18 percent.
  Surely this is a disease for which an ounce of prevention is worth a 
pound of cure. National Breast Cancer Awareness month can help get this 
message out and can actually save women's lives.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of Senate Joint 
Resolution 185.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Joint 
Resolution 185, which designates October as ``National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month.'' Greater recognition is necessary because we have no 
cure for breast cancer.
  The medical profession can prolong lives, and if a woman survives 
breast cancer for 5 years, according to medical statistics, she is 
considered a survivor. Yet, one in eight women will be diagnosed with 
breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is expected to kill 46,000 
women and afflict another 182,000 women in 1994.
  As cochair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I have 
worked diligently to have women included in clinical research trials, 
to increase funding for basic and clinical research on breast cancer, 
and for women to have access to treatment and early detection services 
such as mammography. Through the efforts of the caucus and other breast 
cancer advocates, breast cancer research has increased. More of the 
National Cancer Institute's research funds are budgeted for breast 
cancer than any other type of cancer. And this has paid off. Just this 
month, there was an announcement of the discovery of a gene that causes 
breast cancer. Progress is being made.
  But in fact, this discovery may only affect a small proportion of 
women, probably only 5 percent of all discovered breast cancers in 
women with a family history due to an inherited defective gene. What 
about all the other women? The mothers, sisters, and friends who are in 
the other 95 percent?
  Mammograpjy screening, coordinated with clinical breast examination 
and breast self-examination, is the most reliable tool for detection of 
breast cancer. Breast cancer treated at its earliest stages costs about 
$14,000 as contrasted with advanced stage treatment which costs more 
than $84,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, not to mention the potential for additional years of 
healthy living and the untold suffering and pain that could be avoided 
by taking simple preventive measures.
  I urge my colleagues to support Senate Joint Resolution 185 to 
designate October ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.'' Help 
spread the word that regular mammograms, self-examination, and 
examinations by health care providers increase the success of treatment 
and the survival rate. You will be saving lives.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 185

       Whereas breast cancer will strike an estimated 182,000 
     women and 1,000 men in the United States in 1994;
       Whereas the risk of developing breast cancer increases as a 
     woman grows older;
       Whereas breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer 
     death in women, and will kill an estimated 46,000 women and 
     300 men in 1994;
       Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized breast 
     cancer has risen from 78 percent in the 1940's to over 90 
     percent today;
       Whereas most breast cancers are detected by the woman 
     herself;
       Whereas educating both the public and health care providers 
     about the importance of early detection will result in 
     reducing breast cancer mortality;
       Whereas appropriate use of screening mammography, in 
     conjunction with clinical examination and breast self-
     examination, can result in the detection of many breast 
     cancers early in their development and increase the survival 
     rate to nearly 100 percent;
       Whereas data from controlled trials clearly demonstrate 
     that deaths from breast cancer are significantly reduced in 
     women who have been screened by mammography;
       Whereas many women are reluctant to have screening 
     mammograms for a variety of reasons, such as the cost of 
     testing, lack of information, or fear;
       Whereas access to screening mammography is directly related 
     to socioeconomic status;
       Whereas increased awareness about the importance of 
     screening mammography will result in the procedure being 
     regularly requested by the patient and recommended by the 
     health care provider; and
       Whereas it is projected that more women will use this 
     lifesaving test as it becomes increasingly available and 
     affordable: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 
     1994 is designated as ``National Breast Cancer Awareness 
     Month'' and the President is authorized and requested to 
     issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United 
     States to observe the month with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.

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