[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        UNVEILING AND DEDICATION OF THE MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend CHRISTUS Santa 
Rosa Health Care for the dedication of the only Mobile Mammography Unit 
(MMU) in the area of San Antonio and surrounding counties. The MMU will 
provide breast health services and education to women who otherwise 
would either have difficulty accessing or not be able to access these 
services because of financial, transportation, cultural or other 
constraints.
  The CHRISTUS Santa Rosa MMU will assist those who are uninsured and 
underserved as well as working women who have difficulty leaving the 
workplace to get a mammogram. All women who have a positive mammogram 
will be guided to appropriate medical services for follow up care.
  As we know, breast cancer is the leading cancer among white and 
African American women. Statistically, every three minutes a woman in 
the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer and one out of every 
eight women in America will develop breast cancer at some time in her 
life. However, when breast cancer is detected early, a five-year 
survival rate is 96 percent.
  Today, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital is proud to begin offering 
assistance for screening mammograms to the women of South and Central 
Texas to include uninsured and underinsured women of San Antonio and 
the surrounding counties. The MMU has partnered with community 
organizations such as the San Antonio Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen 
Foundation, WINGS (Women Interested in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing), the 
Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, the Breast and Cervical Cancer 
Programs, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and many others 
to provide the full range of services.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to commend CHRISTUS Santa Rosa 
in San Antonio, Texas for bringing the mobile mammography unit back to 
the area after three years of not having a unit. I especially want to 
thank the collaboration of community organizations, the doctors, nurses 
and staff for their hard work and continued dedication, and wish them 
well as they continue their life-saving services to the community.

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