[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3896-H3897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1530
EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO NEED TO PROVIDE PROSTATE
CANCER PATIENTS WITH MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON TREATMENT
OPTIONS
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 669) expressing the sense of Congress
with respect to the need to provide prostate cancer patients with
meaningful access to information on treatment options, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 669
Whereas, in 2004, it is estimated that approximately
230,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the
United States, and nearly 30,000 men in the United States
will die from prostate cancer;
Whereas prostate cancer is the second leading cause of
cancer death in men in the United States;
Whereas over $4,700,000,000 is spent annually in the United
States in direct treatment costs for prostate cancer;
Whereas African American men are diagnosed with and die
from prostate cancer more frequently than men of other ethnic
backgrounds;
Whereas increased education among health care providers and
patients regarding the need for prostate cancer screening
tests has resulted in the diagnosis of approximately 86
percent of prostate cancer patients before the cancerous
cells have spread appreciably beyond the prostate gland,
thereby enhancing the odds of successful treatment;
Whereas the potential complication rates for significant
side effects vary among the most common forms of treatment
for prostate cancer;
Whereas prostate cancer often strikes elderly people in the
United States, highlighting the importance of balancing the
potential benefits and risks of various treatments on an
individual basis; and
Whereas Congress as a whole, and Members of Congress as
individuals, are in unique positions to support the fight
against prostate cancer, to help raise public awareness about
the need to make screening tests available to all people at
risk for prostate cancer, and to provide prostate cancer
patients with adequate information to assess the relative
benefits and risks of treatment options: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) national and community organizations and health care
providers have played a commendable role in supplying
information concerning the importance of screening for
prostate cancer and the treatment options for patients with
prostate cancer; and
(2) the Federal Government and the States should ensure
that health care providers supply prostate cancer patients
with appropriate information and any other tools necessary
for prostate cancer patients to receive readily
understandable descriptions of the advantages, disadvantages,
benefits, and risks of all medically efficacious treatments
for prostate cancer, including brachytherapy, hormonal
treatments, external beam radiation, chemotherapy, surgery,
and watchful waiting.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Brown) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).
General Leave
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 669.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary this week of the National Men's
Health Week, few topics are more germane than prostate cancer.
This year, 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates that
approximately 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in
our country and that nearly 30,000 men in this country will die from
prostate cancer. It is, in fact, the second leading cause of cancer
death in men in the United States.
About 16 percent of American men will be diagnosed with prostate
cancer during their lifetime, 8 percent will develop significant
symptoms, and 3 percent will die of the disease. Over $4.7 billion is
spent annually in the United States in direct treatment costs for
prostate cancer. African American men are diagnosed with and die from
prostate cancer more frequently than men of other ethnic backgrounds.
Increased education among health care providers and patients
regarding the need for prostate cancer screening tests has resulted in
the diagnosis of approximately 86 percent of prostate cancer patients
before the cancerous cells have spread appreciably beyond the prostrate
gland, thereby enhancing the odds of successful treatment.
The potential complication rates for significant side effects vary
among the most common form of treatment for
[[Page H3897]]
prostate cancer, however. It is a disease that strikes elderly people
in the United States, which also highlights the importance of balancing
the potential benefits and risks of various treatments on an individual
basis.
Congress as a whole, and Members of Congress as individuals, are in
unique positions to support the fight against prostate cancer to help
raise public awareness about the need to make screening tests available
to all people at risk and to provide prostate cancer patients with
adequate information to assess the relative benefits and risks of their
treatment options.
This resolution does several things. First of all, it recognizes that
national and community organizations and health care providers have
played a commendable role in supplying information concerning the
importance of screening prostate cancer and the treatment options for
patients with prostate cancer; and the Federal Government and States
should ensure that health care providers supply prostate cancer
patients with appropriate information and any other tools necessary for
them to receive readily understandable descriptions of the advantages,
disadvantages, benefits, and risks of all medically efficacious
treatments for prostate cancer, including brachytherapy, hormonal
treatments, external beam radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and, in some
cases, simply watchful waiting.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
I would like to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Deal), and my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), and
other Members who helped put this resolution together.
One in six American men will develop prostate cancer in their
lifetimes, one in six. Only skin cancer is more prevalent in our
population. Approximately 30,000 men will die from prostate cancer this
year. Early detection can obviously reduce that number. In fact, early
detection is crucial in raising awareness about this disease as the
best way to promote regular testing.
A friend of mine in Columbus recently learned that lesson. He had a
regular test, early detection, successful surgery and back to his
normal active life.
This resolution says Congress can play a unique role in raising
public awareness about prostate cancer. We can and we should. There
have been exciting developments recently in prostate cancer prevention.
A class of drugs called statins hold promise for keeping this form of
cancer at bay.
Each year, I join the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), my friend,
on a letter signed by many Members on both sides of the aisle urging
the Committee on Appropriations to provide ample funding for prostate
cancer research. That is one piece of the puzzle; public awareness is
the other.
We have a ready tool in the fight against prostate cancer. That tool
is information.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this
resolution and continue to help get the word out.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as
he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns), my colleague.
Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 669 and the families
and victims of prostate cancer throughout our Nation.
Almost 30,000 Americans died of prostate cancer last year; and Mr.
Speaker, that is far too many families who are left behind, losing the
company of their loved ones. When it is identified early, like many
cancers, prostate cancer can be treated and treated effectively. That
is why it is crucial for all Americans to receive periodic screenings.
None of us are in a hurry to leave this world. Our time with our
children and grandchildren is precious, and we should all protect
ourselves in every manner possible. Our health care providers in
America are performing an important service by advocating periodic
screenings for this deadly disease.
I am proud to join my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Deal), and to offer my thanks to these men and women, as well as those
who assist all Americans, in recognizing the challenges of prostate
cancer. As a Congress, we must pass this resolution to reaffirm
Congress' commitment to supporting their efforts.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
There are many who have played an important role in making the public
aware of the ability to treat and to deal with prostate cancer. One of
those is a constituent of mine, Theragenix, that is located in my
district, manufacturer of a seed that is used in brachytherapy. They,
along with many other organizations who provide other treatments, have
been very instrumental in passing this resolution to the floor today to
get it available to the public for information and also to ensure that
adequate reimbursements are made to the providers so that when a
treatment is selected by a patient and by a physician that adequate
reimbursement will be made to make that treatment available.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 669.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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