[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE BREAST CANCER DETECTION ACT

  (Mrs. VUCANOVICH asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, what is pink, round, was stalled at FDA 
for 10 years and now can be obtained only by prescription? No; it is 
not a funny riddle. The sad truth is it describes the sensor pad, an 
important tool which could be used to aid breast lump detection.
  While the FDA has finally approved this product, it is available only 
by prescription. Instead of paying only $21.95, women must first go to 
a doctor to get a prescription, making costs rise substantially. FDA's 
action restricts access to women who simply cannot afford to go to the 
doctor unless something is truly wrong.
  This year it is expected that 184,300 women will find out that they 
have breast cancer. Since there is no cure for breast cancer, we must 
continue to give women encouragement to perform breast self-
examinations and take part in other early-detection practices. Today I 
am introducing the Breast Cancer Detection Act to make this examination 
aid available. I urge Members to cosponsor this important bill.

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