[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, May is Osteoporosis Prevention and 
Awareness Month. Osteoporosis and low bone density affects over 44 
million Americans over the age of 50, many of whom were unaware of 
their risk for osteoporosis and were not able to take steps to prevent 
it. While both men and women are at-risk of developing osteoporosis, 
women comprise 80 percent of those who develop the disease. Even though 
the risk of a hip fracture for a woman is equal to her combined risk of 
breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, most adult women are unaware of 
the risk factors for osteoporosis.
  Like many Americans, I had no idea I was at risk for developing 
osteoporosis. I believed I simply had bad posture and was reluctant to 
be screened for osteoporosis. Yet, as I was running for Congress in 
1998, I was diagnosed with this disease.
  Fortunately, within 10 months of treatment I was able to stop my bone 
density loss and my bones actually began to strengthen again. Because 
of my personal experience with osteoporosis, I am committed to ensuring 
Americans are aware of the importance of strong bones, so they can 
reduce their chances of developing the disease.
  I commend the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) for their 
efforts to educate the public during the month of May. This month, the 
NOF has reached out to healthcare providers and consumers with the 
message, ``Osteoporosis. Chances are . . . it could be you.'' 
Throughout the year, the NOF is dedicated to promoting lifelong bone 
health in order to reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis and 
osteoporosis related fractures and they continue to work to find a cure 
for the disease through research, education, and advocacy. For all 
those who have this disease and those who may in the future, I will 
continue to work with and support NOF's efforts to raise awareness of 
the risk factors and ways to prevent osteoporosis.

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