[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in 
support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are facing a national 
epidemic. Breast Cancer is the leading cause of death for women between 
the ages of 35 and 52. Approximately 1 in 9 women in the United States 
will develop breast cancer. Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with 
breast cancer and every 12 minutes a woman will die of breast cancer. 
Our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends deserve better. We must 
find a cure for this disease.
  In order to find a cure, scientists need to better understand this 
multi-factorial disease. While important discoveries have been made 
like the breast cancer gene which accounts for 10% of breast cancer 
cases, there is still a great deal more to learn. One factor 
particularly significant on Long Island is the appearance of clusters, 
high incidence of breast cancer in one geographic area. On Long Island, 
110 out of every 100,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer 
compared to 100 out of every 100,000 women in New York State.
  Scientists suspect that breast cancer clusters are linked with toxins 
and other chemical substances present in the environment. In 1993, 
Congress authorized the National Institute of Health to conduct the 
Long Island Breast Cancer Study (LIBSCP). This project brings together 
scientists and breast cancer patients for a comprehensive study to 
explore the possible connection between environmental toxins and breast 
cancer.
  Until we find a cure for breast cancer, we must increase our efforts 
for diagnosis and treatment. Regular mammography screening is vital for 
early detection of the disease and all women 40 years old or older 
should receive an annual mammogram. Last week, I had the opportunity to 
visit a Mobile Breast Cancer Unit that provides mammograms for 
underserved women in my district and I was impressed with the number of 
women who visited the unit in one afternoon. This kind of outreach is 
the best way to target women in all communities for early detection.
  For the one women of nine diagnosed with breast cancer, quality 
medical care is essential. This year, Congress introduced several 
pieces of legislation to assist breast cancer patients, such as minimum 
stay requirements for mastectomies, mandatory insurance coverage of 
second opinions and reconstructive surgery. Today, early detection 
together with quality treatment is the best way to cope with this 
disease.
  Breast Cancer Awareness month is an opportunity to educate women 
about breast cancer and to promote awareness, research and quality 
treatment in the United States. I look forward to the day when we have 
a cure and this month is no longer necessary.

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