[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NEW TOOLS NEEDED TO SUPPORT UROLOGIC HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. LEACH

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, each fall, the American Foundation for 
Urologic Diseases sponsors Prostate Health Month to remind people about 
the importance of maintaining good urologic health.
  Prostate Cancer Awareness Week was held September 14-21 and 
urologists around the country offered free screenings for prostate 
cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Encouraging 
reports indicate these cancers are being found at an earlier and more 
curable stage, resulting in a decline in prostate cancer death rates. 
Sadly, we also know that prostate cancer screening tests are not 
perfect and that the causes of other prostatic diseases, like 
prostatitis, still elude our full understanding.
  This problem is not limited to prostate diseases. Many other urologic 
conditions, such as painful bladder disease and interstitial cystitis, 
require further research. No gender, age or ethnic group is immune to 
these diseases.
  The key to addressing these and other challenges to good urologic 
health is more and better research. Of particular importance is 
research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Congress 
has doubled the NIH budget over the last five years, providing our best 
scientists new resources for attacking these problems. Given the 
widespread impact of urologic diseases, however, the basic science 
research effort continues to lag.
  H.R. 1002, the Training and Research in Urology Act, was introduced 
to provide urologic scientists the tools they need to find new cures. 
It will create a Division of Urology at the National Institute of 
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the home of the urology 
basic science program, and expand existing research mechanisms, like 
the successful George O'Brien Urology Research Centers. This will give 
NIH new opportunities for investment in efforts to combat and vanquish 
these diseases.
  Millions of men and women are afflicted by these diseases. I urge my 
colleagues to join me as cosponsors of H.R. 1002.

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