[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    KEEPING WOMEN HEALTHY--BREAST CANCER SCREENING AND AWARENESS DAY

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2003

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this month the National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month (NBCAM) Campaign celebrates nineteen years of educating 
women about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the 
disease in its earliest stages through screening mammography. Since its 
inception, the number of women obtaining mammograms has more than 
doubled.
  Today, October 17, 2003, is National Mammography Day. Mammograms are 
one of the most important prevention tools for breast cancer with the 
ability to find a cancerous growth an average of 1.7 years before a 
woman can feel the lump. Any breast cancer survivor can tell you that 
even days can make a difference.
  Unfortunately, women who have limited access to care are less likely 
to receive mammograms. This is why I am proud to be participating, 
along with the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF), Atascosa County 
Ministerial Alliance, Atascosa Health Center, Atascosa Interagency 
Council, Greater Pleasanton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and South 
Texas Regional Medical Center in Jourdanton, as an honorary sponsor of 
``Keeping Women Healthy,'' a breast cancer screening and awareness day 
in my district tomorrow, October 18, 2003.
  I am proud of the efforts of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health 
District and the ABCF to purchase a mammography van to take their 
message to our neighborhoods. Recently, their dreams were realized as 
the Avon Foundation awarded them a $569,000 grant, which will allow 
them to purchase and operate a van throughout the greater San Antonio 
area. They are great advocates and work tirelessly to ensure that women 
in the San Antonio area have access to critical prevention and 
treatment services.
  The fight against breast cancer is a long and hard one. In my home 
state of Texas, an estimated 13,700 cases of breast cancer will be 
detected in 2003. If breast cancer is detected early, however, a 
woman's chance of survival is improved by 95 percent. Nevertheless, 
together we have shown that we can make a difference. We must continue 
the fight against cancer. We only celebrate breast cancer prevention 
for one month, but by getting our voices heard and our message across, 
we can give millions a whole lifetime to celebrate.




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