[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E216-E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORT HOUSE RESOLUTION 40--SAVE THE LIVES OF 29,000 WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 1997

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on January 23, 1997, the National Cancer 
Institute's Consensus Panel reviewed data on breast cancer and 
concluded that it could not recommend regular mammograms for women in 
their forties. In light of voluminous data and statistical evidence 
supporting mammograms for women in this age group, I am deeply 
concerned. Approximately 29,000 American women will contract this 
disease between the ages of 40 and 49.
  Recently, Senator Olympia Snowe led a bipartisan coalition which 
introduced a Sense of the Senate resolution, Senate Resolution 47, 
concerning the need for accurate guidelines for breast cancer 
screening. We strongly support her efforts, and believe this is a 
positive step toward helping women. The resulting 98-0 vote shows that 
our Senate colleagues are fully aware of the critical nature of this 
issue.
  I am also diligently working to ensure that women have clear 
direction from the Government. In fact, in 1994 the Subcommittee on 
Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations, which I chaired, 
published a report, ``Misused Science: The National Cancer Institute's 
Elimination of Mammography Guidelines for Women in Their Forties,'' 
which raised concerns about the National Cancer Institute's decision to 
change its mammography guidelines.

[[Page E217]]

Prior to publishing this report, I convened a hearing where numerous 
agencies, organizations, and individuals, included Senator Snowe, 
testified about the impact of NCI's decision on the lives of women.
  The message from all respected voices is clear: mammograms can save 
the lives of women in their forties, a disproportionate number of whom 
are African-American. As a concerned Member of Congress, on February 5, 
1997, I introduced a Sense of the House resolution, House Resolution 
40, encouraging Members to make a unified, unequivocal statement that 
women between the ages of 40 and 49 need clear, accurate guidelines for 
breast cancer screening.
  I urge you to support this resolution to lead the charge for saving 
women's lives.

                          ____________________