[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, October marks the 17th annual 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time to remember and to 
reflect upon the strength and courage of the family and friends we have 
lost to this awful disease and to rejuvenate our hope through those who 
have survived. This October we also celebrate the advances that have 
been made and steel ourselves for the battle still before us.
  Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women. Mortality 
rates have decreased over the last several years, but, according to the 
American Cancer Society, an estimated 40,000 deaths from breast cancer 
are still anticipated in 2002. In the state of New York, nearly 3,000 
women will die from breast cancer this year. The fight is still very 
real.
  More women are beating cancer through early detection and improved 
treatments. Experts also urge everyone to include regular physical 
activity, maintain a healthy weight, and limit alcohol intake to reduce 
your risk of cancer.
  I would like to raise an issue that has been in the press many times 
this past year. There has been an ongoing debate regarding the 
effectiveness of mammography. The government's health experts have 
reaffirmed the value of mammography. In February, Health and Human 
Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced an updated recommendation 
from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that calls for 
screening mammography, with or without clinical breast examination, 
every one to two years for women age 40 and over. The National Cancer 
Institute (NCI) also reaffirmed its support for mammography. Secretary 
Thompson said, ``While developing technology certainly holds the 
promise for new detection and treatment methods, mammography remains a 
strong and important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. The 
early detection of breast cancer can save lives.'' This debate 
underscores for me the great importance of health self-awareness, early 
detection and education.
  October also marks the 10th anniversary of the pink ribbon, won by 
millions to support the fight against breast cancer. The pink ribbon 
was created by SELF Magazine, exemplifying the great activism and 
support of so many. We have seen successes in the fight for a cure 
because of the cooperation and involvement of many communities and 
organizations, including the strong public-private partnerships, 
corporate America, charitable and advocacy organizations, and health, 
research and government institutions.
  For the past four years, there has been a bipartisan commitment to 
doubling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget, with the 
doubling to be completed this year. Our collective hope is that these 
strong investments in biomedical research, including the National 
Cancer Institute, will spur scientific advances that will ultimately 
translate into better health care for all, including better treatments 
and a cure for cancer.
  I have been a strong proponent of prevention. One of my first 
initiatives in Congress was a bill to provide annual mammograms for 
women on Medicare. It was included as a part of the Balanced Budget 
Agreement in 1997. This Congress, I introduced with Congresswoman Sue 
Kelly, the Cancer Screening Coverage Act, HR 1809, to give everyone a 
fighting chance in detecting cancer at its earliest stages. This 
legislation applies to private health insurance plans and to the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits plan, requiring these plans to cover 
cancer screening.
  Working with Congressman Gilman, I was able to secure $500,000 for a 
New York University Medical Center study on the potential causes of 
high breast cancer rates on Manhattan's East Side, neighborhoods along 
the East River, and in Rockland County. Specifically, the study will 
investigate environmental factors that may be related to increased 
rates of breast cancer.
  I am also a cosponsor of HR 4596, The National Cancer Act. Introduced 
in the House by Congresswomen Capps and Roukema and in the Senate by 
Senator Dianne Feinstein, this bill consists of thirteen major 
provisions that address the cancer continuum: research, translation, 
access to care, quality of care, and cancer prevention. Additionally, I 
am a cosponsor of HR 1624, the Access to Cancer Therapies Act, and HR 
1354, the Assure Access to Mammography Act, which seeks to raise the 
Medicare payment rates for routine mammography screening.
  Working together, we will achieve prevention and a cure for breast 
cancer.

                          ____________________