[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 27 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. D'Amato):
  S. 1757. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to extend the 
program of research on breast cancer; to the Committee on Labor and 
Human Resources.


            the breast cancer research extension act of 1998

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation which 
will authorize breast cancer research funding at a record level.

  Over the past seven years, Congress has demonstrated an increased 
commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Back in 1991, less than 
$100 million dollars was spent on breast cancer research. Since then, 
Congress has steadily increased this allocation. These increases have 
stimulated new and exciting research that has begun to unravel the 
mysteries of this devastating disease and is moving us closer to a 
cure. Today, we must send a message through our authorization level to 
scientists and research policy makers that we are committed to 
continued funding for this important research.
  This increase in funding is necessary because breast cancer has 
reached crisis levels in America. In 1998, it is estimated that 178,700 
new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in this country, and 
43,500 women will die from this disease. Breast cancer is the most 
common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths 
among American women. Today, over 2.6 million American women are living 
with this disease. In my home state of Maine, it is the most commonly-
diagnosed cancer among women, representing more than 30 percent of all 
new cancers in Maine women.
  In addition to these enormous human costs, breast cancer also exacts 
a heavy financial toll--over $6 billion of our health care dollars are 
spent on breast cancer annually.
  Today, however, there is cause for hope. Recent scientific progress 
made in the fight to conquer breast cancer is encouraging. Researchers 
have isolated the genes responsible for inherited breast cancer, and 
are beginning to understand the mechanism of the cancer cell itself. It 
is imperative that we capitalize upon these advances by continuing to 
support the scientists investigating this disease and their innovative 
research.
  For this reason, my bill increases the FY99 funding authorization 
level for breast cancer research to $650 million. This level represents 
the funding level scientists believe is necessary to make progress 
against this disease. It also reflects the 11 percent increase that the 
Administration requested for NIH funding. This increased funding will 
contribute substantially toward solving the mysteries surrounding 
breast cancer. Our continued investment will save countless lives and 
health care dollars, and prevent undue suffering in millions of 
American women and families.
  On behalf of the 2.6 million women living with breast cancer, I urge 
my colleagues to support this important bill.
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