[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is a serious health concern for 
all women.
  With the exception of skin cancer, more women in the United States 
are diagnosed with breast cancer than any other cancer each year. This 
year alone approximately 192,200 new cases of invasive breast cancer 
will be diagnosed among women, as will nearly 47,100 additional cases 
of in situ or noninvasive breast cancer.
  After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second leading cause of 
cancer-related deaths among women. This year, 40,200 women are expected 
to die from the disease. However, few know that breast cancer also 
affects men. Approximately 1,500 men will be diagnosed with this type 
of cancer and 400 will have a terminal form of the disease.
  In my district of Guam, 44 new cases of breast cancer were reported 
last year, for an incidence rate of 54.4 persons per 100,000 
population. Since 1984, 391 women on Guam have been diagnosed with 
breast cancer according to the Guam Cancer Registry.
  The good news is that since 1985, breast cancer incidence rates among 
women have continued to decline at an average of 1.3 percent each year. 
This decline has been attributed to both improvements in breast cancer 
treatments and the benefits of mammography screening. As more breast 
cancers are diagnosed while in situ, we should continue to see a 
decline in the rates of diagnosis and of fatalities.
  Although there is no proven method for reducing the incidence of 
breast cancer, the best line of defense for the prevention of breast 
cancer for women is to have regular mammograms, increase physical 
activity, minimize alcohol intake, and avoid obesity. Women and men are 
encouraged to remain vigilant about early detection.
  The American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 
Foundation, Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and several other organizations 
offer a host of resource programs for breast cancer patients and their 
families. These organizations have also played an extensive role in 
conducting valuable research and raising awareness about this killer 
disease and should be recognized and commended for their valuable 
proactive work.
  Advances in treatment and early detection methods have made 
significant improvements in the health of women and men affected by 
breast cancer. A decade ago, a breast cancer diagnosis was often viewed 
as a terminal illness. Ten years later, more patients are conquering 
breast cancer than ever before. There are now more than two million 
breast cancer survivors in the United States today.
  Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join in celebrating and 
commemorating the battle against breast cancer and support initiatives 
that help Americans across our nation survive the challenges of this 
deadly disease. Let us reach out across the nation in support of Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month for all American families throughout the country 
who have been affected by or are at risk of breast cancer and pay 
tribute to those who's lives have been cut short by this disease.

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