[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 140 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2221-E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2005

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the observance 
of October 2005 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month provides 
an important opportunity to raise the level of awareness and education 
among American women about the importance of annual mammograms and 
monthly breast self-examinations in the fight against breast cancer.
  Like most American families, Long Islanders are all too familiar with 
the loss of a loved one to some form of cancer. Breast cancer in 
particular remains the leading cause of death

[[Page E2222]]

among women between the ages of 40 and 55. My sister-in-law, Abby 
Irwin, was among them, having died at the age of only 41 after a 
courageous eleven-year struggle against breast cancer.
  This year alone, over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be 
diagnosed in the United States. In fact, a woman is diagnosed with a 
new case every three minutes. And one out of every eight women who live 
to the age of 85 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
  However, there is good news: the survival rate of women who have 
breast cancer is 96 percent when detected in the early stages. I am 
very grateful that my mother, for instance, is a twenty-year survivor. 
She is one among two million survivors nationwide.
  By observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we can do even more to 
promote the effectiveness of life-saving mammograms and monthly breast 
self-exams as the keys to early detection and prevention. Furthermore, 
we can recognize and applaud national and community organizations for 
their work in promoting awareness about breast cancer, providing 
information, and offering treatment to its sufferers. In my Long 
Island, New York district, I am proud to have an active and involved 
Breast Cancer Advisory Board that includes leading researchers, 
advocates and support personnel as well as survivors.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage each of my colleagues to join in paying 
tribute to the survivors, volunteers, and health care professionals who 
combat breast cancer and save lives each day. Until we find a cure, we 
should continue to do all that we can to increase research funding and 
expand prevention awareness for all women who are at risk today.

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