[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10155-H10157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING IMPORTANCE OF MAMMOGRAPHY AND BIOPSIES IN 
                         FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 565) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding the importance of mammograms and biopsies in 
the fight against breast cancer.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 565

       Whereas 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her 
     lifetime;
       Whereas nearly 180,000 American women will be diagnosed 
     with breast cancer this year, and nearly 44,000 women will 
     die of the disease;
       Whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death 
     of women between the ages of 40 and 55;
       Whereas it is universally recognized that regular 
     mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer at its 
     earliest, most treatable stages, and that mammograms can 
     detect small breast cancers up to 2 years earlier than they 
     can be detected through self-examination;
       Whereas early detection, including regular mammography 
     screening with prompt treatment, could result in one-third 
     fewer breast cancer deaths among women over age 50;
       Whereas the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer 
     Institute recognize that regular mammograms are beneficial to 
     women in their forties and recommend that women begin 
     mammography screening by age 40;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     determined in 1995 that nearly half of American women age 50 
     and older, and more than one-third of American women age 40 
     to 49, had not received a mammogram in the previous year;
       Whereas annual mammograms are essential in early detection 
     of breast cancer, and biopsies are the only way to diagnose 
     or rule out breast cancer with certainty;
       Whereas it is vital that women have information about 
     breast biopsy and the biopsy options that are available to 
     them;
       Whereas cutting-edge technology in women's health is 
     creating more options for women; and
       Whereas greater awareness of the importance of mammograms 
     leads to more mammograms and biopsies: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) all American women should take an active role in the 
     fight against breast cancer by all the means that are 
     available to them, including self-examination, physician 
     examination, and regular mammograms;
       (2) the role played by community organizations and health 
     care providers in promoting awareness of the importance of 
     regular mammograms and of biopsy options and in helping to 
     expand the availability of low-cost mammograms and biopsies 
     should be recognized and applauded; and
       (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
       (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the importance of the 
     early detection (through mammography and biopsy) and prompt 
     treatment of breast cancer;
       (B) continue to fund research so that the causes of and a 
     cure for breast cancer may be discovered; and
       (C) continue to make mammograms and biopsies more widely 
     available to women over 40.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to insert extraneous material on the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 565, which expresses the 
sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of 
mammograms and biopsies in the fight against breast cancer. I salute 
the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) and the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Dunn) for this commendable resolution.
  According to the General Accounting Office's testimony this past May 
before the Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and the 
Environment, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin 
cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. 
Experts estimate that during the 1990s, as many as 1.8 million women 
will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 500,000 will die from it. 
According to 1997 data, an estimated 44,000 women died from breast 
cancer, and an estimated 180,200 new cases of the disease were 
diagnosed.
  Mr. Speaker, we must remember that these women are not mere numbers. 
They are mothers, daughters, friends, and colleagues. Breast cancer has 
struck the families of my staff. It has even struck my own wife.
  The fact that 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer at some point 
in their lives is a frightening prospect, but there is hope. Awareness 
leads to vigilance, which leads to early detection. This resolution 
before us helps build the awareness needed to survive.
  As my own family found out, the probability of survival, as well as 
the use of breast-conserving therapy and the avoidance of mastectomy 
increases significantly when the disease is discovered in its early 
stages. Currently, the most effective technique for early detection of 
breast cancer is screening mammography, an X-ray procedure that can 
detect small tumors and breast abnormalities up to 2 years before they 
can be detected by touch, and over 90 percent of these early-stage 
cancers can be cured, according to the FDA.
  The use of mammography as a tool for detecting early cancer continues 
to increase. According to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, the proportion of women aged 50 and older who had received 
mammograms in the prior year increased from 26 percent in 1987 to 57 
percent in 1995. The proportion of women 40 to 49 who had received 
mammograms in the past 2 years also increased from 59 percent in 1990 
to 66 percent in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud that our committee has done more than 
simply build awareness about this dreaded disease. Just 3 weeks ago on 
September 15, the House joined unanimously the Committee on Commerce in 
passing H.R. 4382, the Bliley-Bilirakis Mammography Quality Standards 
Reauthorization Act of 1998. This bill will assure the safety, accuracy 
and overall quality in mammography services for the early detection of 
breast cancer. Women who seek mammograms, however, must be assured that 
their results will be accurate and not misleading.
  Bliley-Bilirakis provides for direct patient notification of all 
mammography examinations in writing, and in easily understood terms so 
that women are fully aware of their results. As the August 4 joint 
letter of endorsement from the American Cancer Society, the National 
Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations and the Susan Komen Breast 
Cancer Foundation states, ``Studies have shown that women believe their 
mammography results are normal if they are not contacted after their 
examination. An increasing number of mammography facilities have begun 
to report both normal and abnormal findings directly to the women as 
well as her referring physician, without disrupting the relationships 
with her referring provider.''
  The other body passed Bliley-Bilirakis without amendment. It has 
languished on the President's desk for a full week now. It merits his 
signature.
  Mr. Speaker, the month of October is breast cancer awareness month. 
Today is a fitting day for the House of Representatives to add its 
voice to the voice of many other dedicated citizens in this country to 
express the importance of early mammographies and biopsies.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 565. As we all 
know, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women 
in this country. By combining early detection of breast cancer with 
prompt treatment, we can reduce the number of deaths by as much as one-
third.
  Although these facts are known, only half of all women over the age 
of 50 and

[[Page H10156]]

one-third of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram in the past 
year. We should actively push the benefits of mammography and increase 
its availability. I applaud the organizations that have already been 
active in promoting breast cancer awareness and the benefits of early 
detection.
  Mr. Speaker, a short time ago, as the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Bliley) mentioned, this Congress passed the Mammography Quality 
Standards Reauthorization Act of 1998. This bill assured the 
continuation of a program for ensuring mammography quality and making 
sure that all women are notified of those test results. H. Res. 565 
complements this legislation by recognizing the need for greater 
awareness among women of the need to have regular mammograms.
  While I am pleased to support H. Res. 565, Mr. Speaker, I would be 
remiss if I did not remark for the need of more substantive legislation 
in this area. The Patients' Bill of Rights would have improved women's 
access to, and quality of, health care. I lament the fact that this 
Congress will fail to pass meaningful managed care reforms to stop HMO 
abuses.
  Other legislation upon which I fear this Congress may fail to act 
this year would expand Medicaid coverage for breast and cervical cancer 
treatment. Reauthorization of the National Institutes of Health and the 
Centers for Disease Control programs affecting women also unfortunately 
have languished in this Congress.
  In sum, however, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 
565. I also urge my colleagues to begin work on all the remaining 
facets of women's health care as soon as possible next year, and I 
thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) for his good work.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Dunn), an original cosponsor of this legislation.
  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chairman, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Bliley), and I thank the gentleman from New Hampshire 
(Mr. Bass) for his great work on a resolution that we believe will help 
save the lives of women all over this country. I want to thank 
particularly, though, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for enabling this resolution to 
come very quickly to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bass resolution because 
of the impact it will have on the quality of life of America's women. 
Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is 
imperative that we seize this opportunity to encourage women to take an 
active role in combating a disease that takes the lives of thousands of 
women every single year.
  While we have seen tremendous progress in the early detection, 
diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, there is still a great deal 
more work to be done. This year, approximately 180,000 new cases of 
breast cancer will be diagnosed, and almost 44,000 women will die from 
this disease.

                              {time}  2100

  That is why it is vital now, more than ever, for us to continue 
educating women about mammograms and about biopsies. By emphasizing the 
importance of mammograms and biopsies, the Bass resolution builds on 
the continuing efforts of those who work so very hard to promote the 
importance of early detection and early diagnosis in the fight against 
this devastating disease.
  Mr. Speaker, one of my dear friends was diagnosed with breast cancer 
over a decade ago. She is living a healthy, productive life today 
because she conquered her illness, but her cancer was not detected 
early. Back then, only 10 years ago, women had mammograms less 
frequently, and she discovered the lump in her breast after it had been 
developing for almost 2 years.
  She is a breast cancer survivor because of her own mental strength 
and her determination and the quality care that she received from her 
doctors. She was very fortunate, and for that I am thankful. But Mr. 
Speaker, other women may not be so fortunate.
  Early detection and diagnosis through mammography and biopsy remain 
our best weapons against breast cancer. The Bass resolution stresses 
the value of regular self-examinations and mammograms in detecting 
breast abnormalities, and the necessity of breast biopsies in 
diagnosing if the abnormality is cancerous or noncancerous.
  Through our efforts to raise awareness about mammograms and the other 
biopsy options that are available, women will have the tools to make 
well-informed decisions when it comes to breast care.
  Congress continues to improve the quality of life for American women. 
As a result of the good work of the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman 
Bliley), we are now able to ensure that women have access to the 
highest quality medical equipment to detect breast cancer at the 
earliest possible moment, and women now will be able to receive their 
mammogram results in a clear and comprehensible form.
  Congress is also continuing to invest in research that saves lives. 
We are working to double the funding for the National Institutes of 
Health over the next 8 years, because their research has produced major 
advances in the treatment of cancer and disease that affect the lives 
of women in America.
  The Bass resolution complements these efforts to ensure that mothers, 
daughters, sisters, and wives will not be limited by breast cancer, but 
will be free to pursue their hopes and dreams, living healthy and 
productive lives. I ask my colleagues to support this vitally important 
resolution.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Hampshire (Mr. Bass), the original sponsor of this bill.
  (Mr. BASS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the breast cancer 
awareness resolution, which is quite similar to one I introduced last 
year. I do want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Bliley) 
and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for their crucial help 
in bringing this resolution to the floor this evening.
  I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), 
whose partnership on this resolution has been absolutely invaluable.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all know by now that October is National 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and October 16 is National Mammography 
Day. It is, therefore, fitting that the House should come together 
today to pass the resolution that is before us now.
  This breast cancer awareness resolution encourages women to take a 
proactive role in fighting breast cancer through steps like seeking 
regular mammograms, and following up on those mammograms with biopsies, 
if necessary. It recognizes and applauds the important role played by 
community organizations and health care providers in promoting 
awareness of these services and affordable access to them.
  Finally, it acknowledges the responsibility of the Federal Government 
to be an active participant in efforts to fight breast cancer, from 
working to promote awareness and access to services to continuing its 
support for vital medical research.
  In recent years, there has been important progress on all of these 
fronts. On a local level, events like Race for the Cure and Making 
Strides Against Breast Cancer walkathons that have occurred all over 
the country, which I participated in last week, have helped raise 
awareness of the dangers of this disease and support for finally 
finding a cure.
  Congress has also made important contributions, including Medicare 
coverage for mammograms last year, and, as was mentioned by our 
chairman, the reauthorization of the Mammography Quality Standards Act.
  Yet, despite progress in encouraging early detection and treatment 
and funding medical research, much more remains to be done. This year 
alone, nearly 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 
this country, and 44,000 will die from this terrible disease.
  Twenty-seven years ago, when I was 19 years old, or 28 years ago, my 
mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she died at the age of 51. 
There were no strides for cancer awareness,

[[Page H10157]]

there were no support groups. Indeed, there was very little 
understanding of what she faced. Unfortunately, I think she faced this 
disease with fright, with pain, and sometimes with great loneliness.
  What we have done in those 26 years is really quite extraordinary, 
but there is a lot more work ahead of us. I want to see a world for my 
wife and my daughter, Lucy, that will be better than it was for my 
mother.
  I thank the chairman of the committee from the bottom of my heart for 
making this resolution in order tonight, and bringing the importance of 
breast cancer awareness to the public forefront.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman, and salute him for 
bringing this resolution to the floor. I thank the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) 
for the work that they have done, and the gentleman from New Hampshire 
(Mr. Bass), who is the originator, who introduced this legislation this 
year as well as last year.
  It is true, this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October. If we 
look back we can see that we have made great strides, but we still have 
that figure of 180,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer 
each year, and 44,000 who will die of breast cancer.
  I have been involved every year with the Race for the Cure, and I 
must say, to reflect on progress, I look around when we have the 50,000 
people who are out there, men as well as women, ready to march for 
research and education and prevention of breast cancer, and I see those 
pink hats. Pink hats means they are survivors, and there are more and 
more survivors. Why? Because of mammograms, because of biopsies, 
because of education, because of awareness. I think this Congress has 
been really moving ahead in this particular area.
  For instance, I am proud that the National Institutes of Health now 
has an Office of Research on Women's Health, and we are putting more 
and more money into breast cancer research and education and 
prevention.
  I am also very proud of our Department of Defense. Many times we do 
not realize that the Department of Defense appropriation has money in 
for peer-reviewed breast cancer research, and they have done some 
wonderful things, because they have great clinical trials where they 
can come up with some great revelations and great advances on it.
  Then, just the other day, as has been mentioned, the Mammography 
Standards Act not only reauthorizes that for the highest quality of 
mammograms, but also has the notification facet of it, something that 
is greatly needed. Again, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) was 
a great leader in that particular regard.
  I just also want to point out the partnerships that have been 
occurring, not only with the Department of Defense and NIH, the private 
sector, NASA, working together to heighten the accuracy of our 
mammograms, to also have mobile units which they bring in to rural 
areas and areas of people who have low income, so they can have the 
finest digital imaging technology available for them.
  So we can do a great deal through education, through further 
research, through making people aware of the advances that are being 
made, and the continued commitment of this Congress.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), my final speaker.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, Mr. 
Speaker.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 565, expressing the critical 
need for mammograms and biopsies in the fight against breast cancer. I 
commend the bill's sponsor, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) 
for bringing this important bill to the House floor.
  Breast cancer, by any definition, is an epidemic in our country. It 
is reported that every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with this 
disease, and every 11 minutes a woman dies from it. As has been said, 
more than 44,000 women die from breast cancer. These women are our 
mothers, spouses, siblings, children, and our friends, the people we 
love the most.
  The numbers are especially alarming in my own State of New Jersey, 
which has the second highest breast cancer mortality rate of any State 
in the Nation. The American Cancer Society estimates 6,400 new cases of 
breast cancer in New Jersey in 1997, and an estimated 1,800 deaths. I 
have found, and certainly the people who work on behalf of the American 
Cancer Society, that more than ever, many of these victims are young 
women.
  While we have made some strides in raising awareness about the need 
for early detection and some strides in research, we still do not have 
a cure, nor do we know what causes this devastating disease. That is 
why more emphasis needs to be placed on the importance of mammograms to 
assist in the fight against this disease.
  As a cosponsor of this legislation, I am pleased that the gentleman 
from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. 
Dunn) have done so much to bring this resolution to the floor. I 
commend their efforts. It is something which all Members should 
support.

    Statement of Congressman Jon D. Fox in Support of H. Res. 565--
     Expressing the Sense of the House Regarding the Importance of 
       Mammograms and Biopsies in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 565 which stresses the importance of mammograms and biopsies 
in the fight against breast cancer.
  More women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer 
every year than any other cancer except skin cancer. This year, about 
180,000 cases will be diagnosed and about 44,000 women will die of this 
disease. Many of these lives could have been saved by early diagnosis.
  The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. 
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer, and the risks increase with 
age. That means women under 40 should have a mammogram every three 
years and women over 40 every year. Routine screening mammography is 
the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be 
cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. That is why 
this legislation is so important.
  We need to give women a chance. We need them to have access to the 
vital tools to detect this deadly disease early. We need these women to 
survive and win their fights by early detection.
  I strongly support this Resolution. And I thank the Gentleman for 
offering this Resolution which stresses the importance of diagnosing 
and treating this disease in the early stages. We can win this fight.
  Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 565.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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