[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E762-E763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE DEAN AND BETTY GALLO PROSTATE CANCER CENTER'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Dean and Betty 
Gallo Prostate Cancer Center's new education initiative.
  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men--about 220,900 
new cases will be diagnosed this year. Approximately 28,900 men will be 
stricken down by this disease--one that devastates so many families by 
killing so many fathers, brothers, and sons.
  I am proud to say that the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer 
Center in central New Jersey is working hard to improve these 
statistics. On April 12, the Gallo Center will kick off

[[Page E763]]

its prostate cancer education initiative with a statewide health event 
held at 13 separate sites. At these sites, individuals and families 
will be able to get information and talk to representatives of the 
Gallo Center, local health departments, and other officials.
  In the fight against prostate cancer, it is vitally important that we 
concentrate on education and screening. Catching the disease early 
drastically improves the chances of surviving, and lowers the need for 
the expensive treatments used during later stages of the cancer.
  For those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the Gallo Center is 
New Jersey's only specialized prostate health resource at a National 
Cancer Institute--the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The Center is 
also an advanced research facility that transforms laboratory 
discoveries into clinical practice.
  While I am glad that New Jersey can rely on such a world-class 
facility for prostate cancer research and treatment, I am even more 
pleased to learn of the Gallo Center's educational and outreach 
efforts. Prostate cancer is a disease that disproportionately affects 
elderly men and African-Americans, and it is vital that health care 
professionals reach out to these populations to inform them of the 
warning signs of the disease.
  Again, let me applaud the Gallo Center's efforts to inform and 
educate New Jersey's citizens about this devastating disease.

                          ____________________