[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 54 (Monday, April 26, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

 Ms. LANDRIEU. In my State of Louisiana, 23,540 new cancer 
cases will be diagnosed this year and 9,700 members of my community 
will die from cancer. Children will lose mothers to breast cancer. 
Wives will lose husbands to prostate cancer. These tremendous losses 
are devastating to both families and communities. Despite all of the 
progress that has been made in the battle against cancer, some 
populations are disproportionately affected by the burden of this 
disease.
  African Americans have the highest death rate for all cancers. Cancer 
is also the leading cause of death for Asian-American women. African-
American, American-Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-American, and Pacific 
Islander men all have a lower 5-year survival rate than non-Hispanic 
white males. This disparity is partially attributed to the fact that 
preventive services are not as easily accessible for these populations. 
The consequences of inadequate access to preventive services and early 
detection are that diseases like cancer are more often diagnosed at 
later stages when the severity is likely to be greater and options for 
treatment and the odds of survival are decreased. The demographic 
changes expected over the next decade will only magnify the urgency of 
addressing these health disparities.
  The future health of America as a whole will be influenced 
substantially by our success in improving the health of minority and 
other medically underserved populations. To address these disparities, 
Congress must provide adequate funding for screening, prevention, and 
treatment services for minority and underserved populations. We must 
continue to fund research through the National Cancer Institute that 
will help to provide better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of 
cancer in all populations.
  There are many organizations and individuals in my State of Louisiana 
working tirelessly to address these health disparities and to improve 
the quality of life for all Americans. Because last week was National 
Minority Cancer Awareness Week, I would like to take this opportunity 
to commend these organizations and individuals for all of their 
efforts. Together with my colleagues in Congress, I am confident that 
one day we can reduce and ultimately eliminate the disparate burden of 
cancer and all other diseases on minority and medically underserved 
communities.

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