[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12490-S12491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a 
time when we work to heighten people's awareness of breast cancer and 
the importance of early detection through mammography and self 
examination.
  Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women with one in 
nine women at risk of developing breast cancer over her lifetime. That 
is up from a risk that, in 1960, was just one in fourteen! In West 
Virginia, the American Cancer Society estimates that this year 1,200 
women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, while nearly 300 women in 
the State will die from the disease. Across the country, more than 
43,000 women will lose their battle with the disease this year, while 
more than 178,000 women will just begin their fight. Too many people 
know the pain of losing a loved one to this devastating, terrible 
disease.
  The startling statistics on the incidence of breast cancer call for a 
strong Federal response, and that is what Congress has worked to 
provide. Since 1990, the Congress has increased cancer research funding 
by 54 percent. For this new fiscal year, I believe that the Senate is 
heading in the right direction with its version of the Departments of 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations bill. This measure contains more than $15.5 billion for 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an increase of $2 
billion over the level appropriated last year. Within that amount, the 
National Cancer Institute (NCI) would receive almost $3 billion--a 15-
percent increase over last year. It is my hope that the final 
appropriations measure for the NIH, the National Institutes of Health, 
and the NCI, the National Cancer Institute, will retain these sizable 
increases. The research performed and funded by NIH is crucial to our 
Nation, crucial to those suffering from this dreadful disease, and 
crucial to the families of those who are suffering.
  The strong national investment in cancer research is producing some 
promising results. For instance, an exciting new avenue being tested 
for breast cancer prevention is the drug tamoxifen. This therapy 
potentially promises to prevent 50 percent of breast cancer cases in 
women who run a high risk of developing the disease.
  Additionally, there are a number of new treatment options being 
studied, including such practices as gene therapy and hormonal agents. 
This combination of research and new therapies is lending hope to the 
many women and their families who are blighted by this devastating 
disease. Let us continue to invest in programs to address the scourge 
of cancer, breast cancer in women in particular.
  Early detection of breast cancer is critical, and, according to 
medical experts, mammography is the best way to find the disease in its 
early stages. In West Virginia, about 73 percent of women have had a 
clinical breast examination and mammogram. That is good, but not good 
enough. West Virginia still lags behind the national median of 77 
percent. So we need to do more.
  In an effort to boost breast and cervical cancer prevention, I helped 
to launch the first-ever West Virginia cancer prevention, education, 
and screening project in 1990. As a result of this effort and other 
programs that have partnered with it, between 1989 and 1995, West 
Virginia experienced a 45 percent increase in the number of women 
receiving mammograms. We need to continue working together to increase 
the number of women having mammograms.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for 2 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BYRD. When a breast cancer tumor is found in its earliest stages, 
a woman has a better than 90 percent chance of long-term survival. 
Places like the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer center in Morgantown play an 
important role in early detection and community education. The center 
proved to be a life-saver for Jorie Florek. She is a professional 
golfer from New York State who played in a West Virginia golf 
tournament to raise money for the cancer center. During the tournament, 
doctors and nurses from the center provided women with breast cancer 
information, including instructions on how to perform self 
examinations. Using that information, Jorie detected a lump that, 
unfortunately, turned out to be malignant. However, through early 
detection and aggressive treatment at the cancer center, Jorie is now 
cancer free.
  Another West Virginia success story is that of Stephanie Juristy. 
Stephanie was working, going to school, raising her teenage son, and 
planning a wedding when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. 
She received treatment at the cancer center, undergoing surgery and 
chemotherapy, and participated in clinical trials of new treatments. 
Stephanie is now married, working full-time, and preparing to graduate 
from school. She is also an advocate for patients in Morgantown, 
sharing her experiences and knowledge with other women.
  Early detection, treatment, and research are all important components 
in the war against breast cancer. Strides are being made in each of 
these areas, and, hopefully, one day will lead to a cure for all 
cancer. And that will be a glorious--glorious--day. However, until 
then, we must remain vigilant and continue to encourage women to get 
mammograms and to self screen, and we must continue to make a strong 
investment in cancer research to press forward for a cure. As we 
recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us redouble our efforts to 
tackle this disease that takes such a devastating toll on our Nation.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon is recognized, under 
the previous order.
  Mr. WYDEN. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Before he leaves the floor, I thank the Senator from West Virginia 
for the unanimous consent request that he made that ensured I would 
have the opportunity to speak now and also to thank him for all that I 
have learned from him during my first years in the Senate.
  It is one thing to take out a book that describes some of the 
procedures and the rules of the Senate, but it seems to me that there 
is no better way to learn about the Senate and the very high standards 
that are so important here than to simply watch the Senator from West 
Virginia for a few hours on the floor of the Senate.
  Mr. BYRD. I thank the distinguished Senator for his very gracious 
felicitations. He is a far better student than I am a teacher. I thank 
him.

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  Mr. WYDEN. I thank the Senator.

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