[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8570-S8571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 253--RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 
          2002 AS ``NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
Murkowski, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Hagel, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
Dorgan, Mr. Shelby, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Helms, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. 
DeWine, Mr. Miller, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Corzine, 
Mr. Craig, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Smith of Oregon, 
Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Lieberman, 
Mr. Ensign, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Breaux, Mr. Thurmond, and Mrs. Carnahan) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 325

       Whereas over 1,000,000 American families live with prostate 
     cancer;

[[Page S8571]]

       Whereas 1 American man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate 
     cancer in his lifetime;
       Whereas over the past decade prostate cancer has been the 
     most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the second most 
     common cancer killer of American men;
       Whereas 189,000 American men will be diagnosed with 
     prostate cancer and 30,200 American men will die of prostate 
     cancer in 2002, according to American Cancer Society 
     estimates;
       Whereas fully \1/4\ of new cases of prostate cancer occur 
     in men during their prime working years;
       Whereas African-Americans have the highest incidence and 
     mortality rates of prostate cancer in the world;
       Whereas screening by both digit rectal examination and 
     prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) can diagnose the 
     disease in earlier and more treatable stages and has reduced 
     prostate cancer mortality;
       Whereas the research pipeline promises further improvements 
     in prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and 
     treatments; and
       Whereas educating Americans, including health care 
     providers, about prostate cancer and early detection 
     strategies is crucial to saving the lives of men and 
     preserving and protecting our families: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of September 2002 as ``National 
     Prostate Cancer Awareness Month'';
       (2) declares that the Federal Government has a 
     responsibility--
       (A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening 
     methods and treatment of prostate cancer;
       (B) to increase research funding that is commensurate with 
     the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved 
     methods for screening, treating, and curing prostate cancer 
     may be discovered; and
       (C) to continue to consider ways for improving access to, 
     and the quality of, health care services for detecting and 
     treating prostate cancer; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     upon the people of the United States, interested groups, and 
     affected persons to promote awareness of prostate cancer, to 
     take an active role in the fight to end the devastating 
     effects of prostate cancer on individuals, their families, 
     and the economy, and to observe the month of September 2002 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to submit, along with 
Senator Reid and 36 of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle, a 
resolution to designate September 2002 as National Prostate Cancer 
Awareness Month. As a prostate cancer survivor myself, I understand the 
importance of public awareness and early detection, and I hope that by 
designating this month as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we 
can help save lives.
  Since the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Americans have 
continued to honor their heroes of that day with respect, gratitude 
and, too often, the memory of lives lost. The ``first responders'' 
protected our safety and well-being, not only in New York and 
Washington, but also in cities and towns across the country, where 
police, fire, emergency service, National Guard and the military have 
been laden with banners and bouquets of thanks, recognition and 
remembrance. September is also ``Prostate Cancer Awareness Month'', 
PCAM, a time to remember those who have perished from the disease and 
to celebrate those who are surviving, and a time to work together to 
accelerate a cure. Along with The National Prostate Cancer Coalition, 
NPCC, I look forward to raising awareness in September with 
commemorations of ``911'' joining the NPCC's special campaign, 
``Protecting Our Protectors'' which encourages men in law enforcement, 
fire service, and current and former servicemen to get screened for 
prostate cancer.
  This resolution is an effort to help increase awareness and educate 
American men and their families about prostate cancer and early 
detection, as well as emphasize the need for more prostate cancer 
research. It will designate September 2002 as National Prostate Cancer 
Awareness Month. Together, Senator Reid and I ask for your support and 
encourage all of our colleagues to join us in raising awareness. With 
your help, prostate cancer can be preventable, controllable, and 
curable.
  Today prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed nonskin 
cancer in America. According to estimates by the American Cancer 
Society and the National Cancer Institute, NCI, more than 189,000 
American men will learn that they have the disease during 2002. Nearly 
30,000 American men will lose their lives to prostate cancer this year, 
making it the second most common cause of cancer death among men. These 
statistics translate into devastating realities for men and families 
across this country.
  This disease will affect one in six men in the United States during 
his lifetime. More than 25 percent of those battling this disease are 
under the age of 65, prime years of productivity for families and for 
this nation. The number of Americans impacted by cancer, and prostate 
cancer, is also expected to grow. If unchecked during the next decade, 
cancer incidence and mortality rates could increase by 25 percent-30 
percent. In too many cases, prostate cancer remains undetected until 
advanced stages of the disease, when conventional therapies no longer 
work. This makes it critical that all American families understand the 
risks of prostate cancer and take measures to ensure early detection.
  If a man has one close relative with prostate cancer, his risk of the 
disease is double that of the average male. With two close relatives, 
his risk is fivefold. Should he have three close relatives with 
prostate cancer, his likelihood of a prostate cancer diagnosis is 
nearly 97 percent.
  African American families are at particular risk. African American 
men have the highest incidence and mortality rates in the world. 
According to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, we must raise 
public awareness about the impact of prostate cancer and emphasize 
early detection with the PSA, prostate specific antigen, blood test and 
DRE, digital rectal examination. Over the last five years prostate 
cancer mortalities have decreased by 27 percent. This shows that, with 
the right investment in education and research, we are already saving 
lives.

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