[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION

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                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the 
issue of Cervical Cancer Awareness and the importance of early 
detection to prevent deaths as we close the month of January as 
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
  In the year 2002, the American Cancer Society estimates that there 
will be about 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the 
United States and about 4,100 women will die from this disease. Many of 
these deaths could be avoided by increasing screening rates among all 
women at risks.
  Cervical cancer screening using the Pap test detects not only cancer 
but also precancerous lesions. Detecting and treating such lesions can 
actually prevent cervical cancer--and thus can prevent virtually all 
deaths from this disease.
  We should recall that the Labor-HHS Appropriations final bill 
approved $192.6 million for funding for breast and cervical cancer 
screening. We hope the administration will implement these 
appropriations at the level passed by Congress. However, despite the 
funding approved, public awareness about the importance of early 
detection of Cervical Cancer still remains very limited. This is 
especially so among certain minority and ethnic women who have less 
than a high school education, or who live below the poverty level.
  Today I introduce a Concurrent Resolution to recognize the importance 
of good cervical health and the importance of early detection of 
cervical cancer. As January is Cervical Cancer month, I would like to 
encourage you to join me in supporting efforts to promote early 
detection of cervical cancer so that we can together eradicate this 
disease that has already taken the lives of many American women.

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