[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID VITTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor victims, survivors, 
volunteers, and professionals, who combat breast cancer each day.
  The facts are grim, every 2\1/2\ minutes someone is diagnosed with 
breast cancer. An estimated 211,300 women and 1,300 men, in the United 
States will be diagnosed this year with breast cancer. An estimated 
40,200 deaths are anticipated this year from breast cancer. In my home 
state of Louisiana, 3,800 new female breast cancer cases will be 
diagnosed this year, and 700 hundred women will lose their battle 
against the disease.
  Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides a special opportunity to 
recognize these valiant fighters and to educate the public about the 
importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. 
Early detection greatly increases victims' chances of survival.
  There is hope. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year 
survival rate is 96 percent. Monthly breast self-examinations and 
mammograms are the key components of early detection. I join my House 
colleagues in saluting the breast cancer survivors alive today in the 
United States.
  I salute the volunteers across the country, including the Louisiana 
Breast Cancer Task Force, for their work to help educate people about 
the important life-saving measures of early detection. Thank you for 
taking time today to honor all the victims, survivors, volunteers, and 
professionals, who combat breast cancer each day.

                          ____________________