[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2085]
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

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                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives 
approved H. Res. 565, a resolution emphasizing the importance of 
mammograms and biopsies in the fight against breast cancer. Since 
October is ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,'' it is 
particularly appropriate that the House passed this resolution before 
adjournment.
  Last month, I was proud to work with Chairman Bliley to secure 
approval by the House of Representatives of H.R. 4382, legislation to 
reauthorize the Mammography Quality Standards Act. This important law 
was enacted in 1992 to improve the quality of breast cancer screening 
exams by establishing national standards for mammography facilities. 
Without question, it has been an overwhelming success.
  Screening mammography is currently the most effective technique for 
early detection of breast cancer. This procedure can identify small 
tumors and breast abnormalities up to two years before they can be 
detected by touch. More than 90 percent of these early stage cancers 
can be cured, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
  The use of screening mammography provides a ray of hope in the fight 
against breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer through 
accurate and reliable mammograms can spare women from undergoing 
radical surgery--and often save their lives. Enactment of H.R. 4382 
will help reduce the threat of breast cancer by providing women the 
tools they need to detect this terrible disease in its early stages.
  As chairman of the Health and Environment Subcommittee, however, I 
believe the federal government can and should do more to support cancer 
research. Specifically, I support an increased financial commitment to 
fund the biomedical research necessary to find a cure for breast 
cancer.
  To that end, I have endorsed a proposal to double Federal funding for 
the National Institutes of Health over the next five years. I have also 
authored legislation to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of any 
income tax refund to support NIH research efforts.
  For the hundreds of thousands of patients, families, caregivers and 
friends whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, we must renew 
and strengthen our commitment to ending this terrible disease. H. Res. 
565 places appropriate emphasis on the importance of mammograms and 
biopsies in the fight against breast cancer, and I urge Members to 
support this resolution.

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