[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


VALLEY HOSPITAL IN RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY IS A LOCAL SPONSOR OF THE 12TH 
                      ANNUAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my thanks to Valley 
Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey, for being a local sponsor of the 
12th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. This event helps those 
stricken with this tragic disease find hope, and emphasizes the 
progress medical science has made in fighting cancer. The organizers 
possess the understanding and sensitivity that help support the 
patients and families faced with this challenge.
  This event, dedicated to curing and surviving cancer, has very 
poignant relevance to my own family. We lost our son, Todd, to leukemia 
in 1976 at the age of 17. At that time, bone marrow transplants and 
other techniques that offered hope were only in their experimental 
stages. Since then, many advances

[[Page E1229]]

have been made that have spared thousands of other parents the 
heartbreak we faced. This is why a commemoration of National Cancer 
Survivors Day serves such a meaningful purpose for all who, like our 
family, have faced the trauma of this disease.
  This year, National Cancer Survivors Day will be celebrated for the 
10th time at Valley Hospital. About 200 people are expected to attend 
the ceremony, including leading oncologists and patients who have faced 
cancer and survived to tell their stories.
  But Valley Hospital's involvement in fighting cancer goes far beyond 
speeches or ceremonies. Valley is a regional leader in the oncology 
field, treating more cancer patients than all other hospitals in Bergen 
and Passaic counties combined. A full range of oncology services are 
available, including a special program in pediatric oncology and 
endoscopic ultrasound technology. Valley's affiliation with Columbia-
Presbyterian Medical Center and the Southwest Oncology Group offer 
patients access to the newest treatment protocols. The radiation 
oncology service is the busiest in the state and the center offers free 
annual screenings for skin, prostate, breast and oral cancer. The 
oncology center goes beyond medical treatment, offering weekly support 
groups for patients, a comprehensive calendar of educational programs 
and extensive home care programs that aid not just cancer patients but 
their families as well.
  A distinguishing characteristic of Valley's cancer programs is the 
availability and quality of radiation seed implant therapy for prostate 
cancer. Valley has attracted patients from around the world as the 
result of its unique prostate implant program, pioneered by urologist 
Howard Sandler, M.D., and radiation oncologist David Greenblatt, M.D. 
Physicians from across the country have come to Valley to learn 
brachytherapy from Drs. Sandler and Greenblatt and Dr. Michael Wesson, 
also a radiation oncologist.
  During our lifetime, we have seen cancer go from a virtual death 
sentence to a disease that is often treatable, survivable and 
preventable. The overall survival rate for all forms of cancer--
including the worst varieties--now stands at 60 percent. The survival 
rate for some of the better-understood cancers, such as breast cancer, 
is 81 percent. And if all Americans participated in screenings that 
could catch cancer at its early stages, experts estimate that 95 
percent of cancer patients would survive. Since 1990, cancer death 
rates have been dropping an average 0.6 percent per year, according to 
the National Cancer Institute.
  Despite these advances, more than 1.2 million new cancer cases are 
expected to be diagnosed this year and more than half a million people 
are expected to die--about 1,500 each day. Cancer is the second-leading 
cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease, 
and one of every four deaths is from cancer.
  Sadly, many of these deaths occur even though they are preventable. 
Tobacco and alcohol related cancer account for nearly half of all 
cancer cases and are completely avoidable simply by not smoking and 
drinking only in moderation. Many skin cancers are caused by excessive 
exposure to sunlight and can be prevented by the simple use of suntan 
lotion and reduced exposure. Screening is available for many forms of 
cancer, including breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, oral 
and skin. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of detecting cancer 
as early as possible--early treatment can mean the difference between 
life and death.
  Today, we are within grasp of a cure for many forms of cancer but 
much research remains to be done. I thank God for those who are willing 
to labor toward this goal and pray that with their help a cure can be 
found and that no one will ever again have to suffer from this terrible 
disease.

                          ____________________