[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 83 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                            MEDICAL RESEARCH

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention 
to the fact that last week the Senate voted to provide an additional 
$300 million for medical research in the Fiscal Year 2000 Department of 
Defense Appropriations bill. I joined with several of my colleagues in 
urging that critical funding for cancer research be included in the 
bill.
  Included in this account are $175 million for breast cancer research, 
$75 million for prostate cancer research, and $50 million for other 
medical research including ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and 
childhood asthma.
  In recent years, the DOD's Department for Health Affairs has made 
great strides in innovative medical research. The DOD Breast Cancer 
Research Program is an excellent example of these advancements. During 
its six years in existence, the program has grown from a small isolated 
project to a well-funded, efficient, and effective part of the cancer 
research community.
  As was recommended by the Institute of Medicine, the program is 
overseen by a group of scientists and patient activists, which helps 
the program keep up with advancements of the scientific community. This 
structure has fostered a program praised for its innovation, 
flexibility, and efficiency.
  Approximately 90 percent of the program's funds are devoted to 
research grants. The DOD Breast Cancer Research Program grants have 
encouraged scientific research to extend beyond traditional research. 
Specifically, Innovative Developmental and Exploratory Awards (IDEA) 
grants are targeted for innovative research efforts that explore new 
approaches in areas that offer the greatest potential.
  The program also incorporates consumer and community needs in its 
research priorities. By including consumer advocates in decision-making 
and by bringing clinical trials into the community, the program has 
integrated the goals of advocates, scientists, and patients. This 
unique approach has proven successful both in the research the Program 
has produced and the future research it has inspired.
  Similar to the Breast Cancer Research Program, the DOD Prostate 
Cancer Research Program is conducted according to the model established 
by the Breast Cancer Program. According to the American Cancer Society, 
approximately 179,300 American men will develop prostate cancer this 
year, and about 37,000 will die of this disease. Though I am encouraged 
by the news that the survival rate for this type of cancer has 
increased from 50% to 85%, we clearly can and must do more.
  Replicating the much-praised Breast Cancer Program mission and 
structure, prostate research encourages innovation while creating a 
partnership between advocates and scientists. Research grants are 
designed to stimulate innovative research and to bolster the national 
effort against prostate cancer.
  As co-chair of the Senate Cancer Coalition, I am very familiar with 
current cancer research efforts. The DOD cancer research programs are 
some of the most innovative and effective public-private partnerships 
that our country has in the battle against cancer. I am confident that 
commitment to this program will strengthen our nation's cancer research 
program and help to stop the spread of this dread disease.
  The additional funding in the DOD appropriation bill is compatible 
with other progressive funding sources that have been explored in 
recent years. The Breast Cancer Research Stamp, which I sponsored in 
the Senate, has raised $6.6 million for breast cancer research. Thirty 
percent of these funds go to the DOD program.
  With the work of research programs across the country, we have made 
some progress in the war on cancer: new cancer cases and deaths in the 
United States fell between 1990 and 1996; survival time has been 
extended dramatically for some cancers; we have improved therapies with 
fewer adverse side effects; and there is increased cancer screening and 
detection.
  And yet, sadly, we have a long way to go. Cancer is the second 
leading cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. The 
American Cancer Society estimates that over 1.2 million new cancer 
cases are expected to be diagnosed in 1999 and about one half million 
Americans are expected to die of cancer this year alone.
  But we must look at these disturbing statistics as an opportunity. 
What these statistics tell us is that we need to multiply, accelerate, 
and intensify our war on cancer. The additional $300 million for 
medical research in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill sends 
a strong signal that we are committed to combating this destructive 
disease. The Senate should be proud of sending this powerful 
message.

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