[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CERVICAL CANCER RESEARCH

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                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the problem of 
cervical cancer for women in America and around the world. Cervical 
cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women 
worldwide. Over a half million women in the world are affected annually 
by cervical cancer and, after breast cancer, it is the second most 
common malignancy found in women. Right here in the United States, more 
than 15,000 women are diagnosed each year with cervical cancer and more 
than a third of them die of this horrible disease. Cancers that affect 
women continue to spread while researchers struggle to find cures that 
many of these women may never see.
  Research has confirmed that the primary cause of cervical cancer is 
the human papillomavirus, or HPV. In order to develop a vaccine, large 
quantities of HPV protein fragments are required. Until now, 
researchers have struggled with ways to mass produce this protein so a 
vaccine can then be mass-produced and distributed in order to prevent 
cervical cancer. Recently, it has become possible to biologically 
engineer tobacco plants to produce this protein. Through a joint 
project between North Carolina State University and Georgetown 
University, researchers will further study how to best produce this 
protein in order to develop this vitally important vaccine. In light of 
this, I am pleased that I could secure $3 million in order to fund this 
important project. It is my sincere hope that this research will result 
in millions of saved lives for generations to come.

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