[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2070]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an 
issue of vital importance to the women of this Nation--breast cancer 
prevention. As a woman and a mother, I feel that there are few issues 
as important to women's health as the breast cancer epidemic facing our 
Nation.
  The resolution in front of us today expresses the sense of the House 
of Representatives that mammograms and biopsies are crucial tools in 
the fight against breast cancer. As you may know, breast cancer is the 
most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women today.
  An estimated 2.6 million women in the United States are living with 
breast cancer. Currently, there are 1.8 million women in this country 
who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 million more who do 
not yet know that they have the disease. It was estimated that in 1996, 
184,300 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed and 44,300 women 
would die from the disease.
  Breast cancer costs this country more than $6 billion each year in 
medical expenses and lost productivity. These statistics are powerful 
indeed, but they cannot possibly capture the heartbreak of this disease 
which impacts not only the women who are diagnosed, but their husbands, 
children and families.
  The most effective technique for early detection of breast cancer is 
mammography. When detected early, the probability that a woman can 
survive breast cancer is 90%. Safe and accurate testing offered through 
mammography is essential to save women's lives.
  I am sure that all Members support this resolution today. I support 
it on behalf of all of our daughters, sisters, mothers, and 
grandmothers. We must continue to do whatever we can in order to 
detect, treat and prevent this devastating disease.

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