[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2182]]
     RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as 
National Breast Cancer Month. Today, 3 million American women are 
living with the disease--2 million who have been diagnosed and 1 
million who do not yet know they have it. These women are our sisters, 
daughters, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.
  But there is good news. Due in large part to federally funded 
research, we know more than ever about what causes breast cancer and 
how to more effectively treat the disease. In fact, since 1990, we have 
increased Federal funding for breast cancer research by nearly 600 
percent. We also have made tremendous progress in increased access to 
mammography, which is the most effective way to diagnose breast cancer 
early. If detected and treated early, breast cancer has one of the 
highest survival rates.
  I also want to pay tribute to the many wonderful organizations that 
provide support to breast cancer patients and their families, like Y-Me 
in my home State of Illinois. These organizations offer invaluable 
services to the millions touched by this disease and have been crucial 
in bringing this issue to the forefront of the healthcare debate.
  October may be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but every day 
of the year this issue deserves our attention. I thank my colleagues 
for their support, and encourage them to continue to work for the 
millions touched by this disease.

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