[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 162 (Thursday, October 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15311-S15312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY

  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 177, 
reported today by the Judiciary Committee.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 177) to designate October 19, 1995, 
     National Mammography Day.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I am proud to join my colleagues in 
offering this important resolution to designate October 19, 1995 as 
``National Mammography Day.'' I am pleased to support this effort to 
set aside 1 day in the midst of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
to increase awareness about the best method of reducing the breast 
cancer mortality rate--early detection by mammography.
  This frightening disease has taken the lives of far too many women, 
including many of my own friends. It is one of the leading killers of 
women--claiming the lives of more than 46,000 women each year. Breast 
cancer is a growing public health problem in this Nation, and a great 
threat to women's health.
  We can all agree that more must be done to educate us about the 
risks, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. I also believe we 
must be vigilant in supporting continued research on breast cancer, and 
clear up the mixed messages that women receive about ways to protect 
themselves from this disease.
  But, there is one indisputable fact that is very clear: early 
detection by mammography saves women's lives. Mammograms can detect 90 
to 95 percent of all breast cancers and is the most reliable method of 
detection. In addition, and perhaps the most tragic feature of this 
disease--9 out of 10 women could survive breast cancer if detected 
early and treated properly.
  Mr. President, there is no question that education and awareness are 
some of our best tools for fighting this disease; combined with 
continued research and treatment breakthroughs. This day is critical in 
our efforts to win the battle against breast cancer. We owe it to our 
mothers; our daughters; our sisters; our neighbors and our friends to 
get the word out--early detection can save your life. And we must not 
let our efforts diminish; every month should be Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month.
  I would like to thank my colleagues for expressing their commitment 
to saving women's lives, and for paying particular attention to raising 
awareness about the importance of mammography. I encourage all of you 
to support this resolution, and help us protect women from the tragedy 
of breast cancer.
  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I am very pleased to join my colleagues 
in recognizing today, October 19, as National Mammography Day.
  Today, 500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Most likely, 
each will be frightened, uncertain about her future, and in search of a 
treatment that, if it cannot cure her, will at least prolong her life. 
Each woman's family and friends, co-workers and caregivers, will worry 
deeply about her.
  Today, 150 women will die of breast cancer. Their lives will be ended 
prematurely. Their families and friends, coworkers and caregivers will 
be grief-stricken.
  Tragically, today's numbers are every day's numbers in our Nation. 
Listen to the enormity of this disease: one out of nine women will get 
breast cancer; since 1960 nearly 1 million women have died from this 
disease. With their deaths, millions of their loved ones, including 
children and aging parents dependent on them, have suffered as well. We 
stagger under these numbers, as we search for the causes and the cure.
  All women are at risk for breast cancer, with the incidence 
increasing among older women and the mortality rate higher for African-
American women. While other factors that may put women at risk are 
being thoroughly investigated, we are still ourselves at risk for 
feeling helpless in the face of this killer.
  However, we do have one sure thing to offer to women and today we 
bring that to national attention. With mammography, we offer the 
possibility of 

[[Page S 15312]]
early detection. Along with breast self-examination, this is one of the 
best steps women can take for themselves in the fight against breast 
cancer. And it is the single best service our health care system can 
make available to all women in this struggle. Offering this service is 
not enough. We must also assure the quality of the service, especially 
the equipment used.
  Early detection made possible by mammography is wise health care. 
With early detection we can reduce the mortality rate by one-third. 
Furthermore, early discovery of the disease allows for less radical and 
less costly treatments. Equally important, with the provision of 
mammography, we say to American women that we understand the trauma of 
this disease and will persist in efforts to triumph over it.
  Remembering that these women are our wives, sisters, mothers, 
daughters, and friends, I am proud to add my voice in recognition of 
National Mammography Day.

                          ____________________