[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COVER ORAL PROSTATE CANCER DRUGS UNDER MEDICARE

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                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, prostate cancer has become 
increasingly visible as a disease of great concern to men across this 
country. This Father's Day weekend while we show our appreciation for 
our fathers, we need to focus again on the serious problem of prostate 
cancer that will strike nearly 1 out of every fathers in America.
  Father's Day should be a time to celebrate some of the major advances 
in detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Within the last decade, 
we have seen a significant improvement in early detection of the 
disease, with widespread use of the PSA blood test. Early treatment has 
also advanced considerably--with new surgical techniques and a variety 
of nonsurgical techniques that can increase survival and reduce side 
effects for prostate cancer patients.
  For patients whose cancer is detected in more advanced stages, there 
are advances in hormonal treatment to extend the length of time they 
can enjoy a productive life, free from symptoms. This involves the 
incorporation of oral antiandrogens in hormonal treatment to improve 
the effectiveness of the hormonal therapy. This relatively new approach 
is known as complete hormonal therapy because it completely blocks the 
hormones that cause prostate cancer tumors to grow.
  The good news is that this advance in hormonal treatment is having an 
effect for those who can take advantage of it. The bad news is that 
many men do not benefit from the complete therapy because the important 
oral drugs that are part of the therapy are not covered under Medicare, 
and nearly 80 percent of the men with prostate cancer rely on Medicare. 
Ironically, Congress acted just a few years ago to cover oral cancer 
drugs under Medicare, but a number of oral cancer drugs were left off 
the list. These prostate cancer drugs were some of the ones left off.
  Father's Day gives us the opportunity to focus again on the serious 
problem of prostate cancer. What is it we need to do to renew the 
attack and push for further advances against this disease? One of the 
most important and yet simplest accomplishments we can have in the 
short term is to cover oral prostate cancer drugs under Medicare. At a 
minimum, older men should have access to the treatments we know can 
work. This is the least we can do for fathers across America.

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