[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5884-S5885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RACE FOR THE CURE

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to express my admiration 
for the thousands of Americans who spent last Saturday morning running 
to help bring attention to breast cancer and to raise money to aid in 
finding a cure for this terrible disease--the leading cause of death 
among women ages 35 to 54. In Washington alone, more than 35,000 
runners and walkers, including several members of my own staff, joined 
the Vice President and his wife to raise more than $1 million for 
breast cancer research in the Race for the Cure. This effort is even 
more impressive when you consider that this race took place in 77 
cities across the country. Since its inception in 1982, the Race for 
the Cure has raised $45 million and funded 230 grants in basic science 
and clinical research, as well as education and screening projects. The 
incredible turnout for this event displays the widespread concern over 
the devastation of breast cancer.
  Every 3 minutes another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. This 
year alone, more than 180,000 women will struggle with this disease, 
and more than 44,000 women will die as a result of it. One in eight 
women will develop breast cancer within their lifetime, making it 
likely that every American will be touched in some way by this disease.

[[Page S5885]]

  Until we find a cure for this disease, it is crucial that we educate 
women about the importance of early detection. If the cancer can be 
confined to the breast, the survival rate is 93 percent. Women need to 
understand the importance of mammograms, monthly breast self-
examinations, regular exercise and a low-fat, high fiber diet.
  Mammography screening exams are the best early detection system 
available, and I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the 
reauthorization of the Mammography Quality Standards Act. Since it was 
originally passed in the 102d Congress, this legislation has provided 
women with safe and reliable mammography services. Through this 
reauthorization, mammography service providers will be required to 
retain women's mammography records so that an accurate medical history 
is maintained. In addition, it will ensure that patients are notified 
about substandard mammography facilities. It is crucial that we address 
this need, as early detection is often the key to effective treatment 
and recovery.
  Women who undergo treatment for breast cancer deserve the best and 
most appropriate care. The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 
1997, another bill that I have cosponsored, guarantees that health care 
providers cover inpatient care for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and 
lymph node dissection. These procedures can be both physically and 
psychologically traumatizing, and we must provide these women with the 
option to have an overnight stay in the hospital after surgery.
  This bill would also require HMO's to provide coverage for 
reconstructive surgery that is necessitated by breast cancer. 
Currently, this reconstructive surgery may be considered cosmetic, but 
this categorization is illogical as it ignores the trauma that results 
from a full mastectomy and other breast cancer related procedures. 
Last, this bill will guarantee that HMO's cover secondary consultations 
when any form of cancer has been diagnosed.
  I know that my colleagues share my concern with the problem of breast 
cancer, and I hope that they will support these legislative efforts to 
help women prevail over this disease.
  Again, I wish to commend all those who participated in the Race for 
the Cure, and I only hope that their efforts move us closer to the 
Race's noble goal: a true cure for this debilitating illness.

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