[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STROKES KILL TWICE AS MANY WOMEN AS BREAST CANCER

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to focus attention on a 
serious health concern facing American women.
  It is a little known fact that strokes, also referred to as brain 
attacks, kill twice as many women as breast cancer every year. In fact, 
322,000 women will have a stroke this year. One hundred thousand of 
them are under the age of 65. Strokes kill more women than men. While 
women account for less than half of the strokes in this country, they 
account for almost two-thirds of stroke deaths.
  Because more men survive strokes, women are more likely to become 
full-time caregivers for stroke survivors. Fifty-six percent of the 
caregivers in this country are women.
  National Stroke Association, a national non-profit health 
organization devoting 100 percent of its resources to fight stroke, has 
launched a comprehensive public education campaign, ``Women in Your 
Life'' to teach American women and their loved ones that:
  Strokes are preventable by paying attention to risk factors including 
high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, and adopting a health 
lifestyle.
  Strokes are treatable. Recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking 
immediate medical attention are crucial to receive effective treatment.
  There is life after stroke. As either stroke survivors or caregivers, 
women need to embrace life with their loved ones after stroke.
  I encourage my colleagues, of both genders, to give stroke education 
and awareness their serious consideration not only during this past 
month designated as National Stroke Awareness Month, but every month 
throughout the year. Understanding strokes and how they affect women is 
vital to the health and well-being of all the women in our lives.

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