[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
the efforts of community leaders, health care providers, non-profit 
organizations, contributors, and Congress in promoting breast cancer 
awareness and prevention. This month is National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month, the perfect time to begin life-saving practices such 
as mammograms and other methods of early prevention. It is also the 
perfect time to celebrate with breast cancer survivors, to stand with 
those who still fight, and to embrace those who have lost the women 
they love. These are the live-saving practices we should start now and 
never stop doing.
  Mr. Speaker, the facts serve as a reminder that there is still so 
much to be done: One out of nine women in America will develop breast 
cancer in her lifetime; breast cancer takes the lives of more than 
44,000 women a year; breast cancer is the second leading cause of 
cancer death for women and the first for women between the ages of 40 
and 55 years of age; although mammograms are a proven method of early 
detection, a large proportion of women are not using mammography on an 
annual basis. A recent study reports that 56 percent of postmenopausal 
women did not have a mammogram the past year.
  Lest we despair, let us also remember great medical accomplishments 
and personal victories: more than 1.6 million women who have fought 
breast cancer are alive today; and early detection and prompt treatment 
are saving more lives each year. The 5-year survival rate after 
treatment is more than 90 percent!
  This year I cosponsored House Resolution 565 which stresses the 
importance of mammograms and biopsies as methods of early cancer 
detection. This bill also recognizes efforts by community 
organizations, government agencies, and health care organizations in 
promoting breast cancer awareness and affordable access to cancer 
prevention care. I am proud to say this resolution passed unanimously 
on October 9 of this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to end on a personal note. A dear friend of 
mine and close advisor has spent much of this month in the hospital 
fighting breast cancer. I think of her every day. When I pray for her 
strength and healing, I also thank God for the place she has had in my 
life and my success in Congress.
  I am humbled that while she is weak, she thinks of me and that I am 
in her prayers. She continues to lend me her wisdom, her humor, and her 
strength. While she struggles, I can offer her only my friendship and 
my prayers. It is God who watches over both of us who will bring her 
through.

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