[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6983-H6984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 745) supporting the goals and
ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 745
Whereas over 33,730 people will be diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
Whereas the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is 99
percent, the highest of any cancer;
Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of
cancer death in the United States;
Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal
treatment options for pancreatic cancer;
Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic cancer generally
present themselves, it is too late for an optimistic
prognosis, and the average survival rate of those diagnosed
with metastasis disease is only 3 to 6 months;
Whereas pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age,
gender, or race, and only 4 percent of patients survive
beyond 5 years;
Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the
first national patient advocacy organization serving the
pancreatic cancer community, focuses its efforts on public
policy, research funding, patient services, and public
awareness and education related to developing effective
treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has requested
that the Congress designate November as Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the
Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research
funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and
prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van
Hollen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 745, introduced by the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts), would support the goals and the ideals of
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
Cancer of the pancreas is known to be one of the most devastating and
deadly forms of cancer. It is the fourth most common cause of death by
cancer in the United States and recent studies have shown that of the
estimated 23,000 cases annually, 23 percent will live less than a year.
With no early detection methods and minimal treatment options, this
resolution seeks to provide elevated awareness on the risks associated
with pancreatic cancer, as well as the need for research funding and
greater treatment options.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, for thousands of Americans, a doctor's diagnosis of
pancreatic cancer is a devastating occasion that can send patients and
their families into a whirlwind of depression and despair. Every year,
more than 33,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and
even more startling is the fact that the overwhelming majority of those
patients will die of pancreatic cancer. Only about 4 percent are
currently expected to live beyond 5 years. As Mr. Davis said,
pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in
the United States.
After years of research, we are not significantly closer to
understanding what causes pancreatic cancer. Most cancers are caused by
environmental, dietary or lifestyle factors, and most pancreatic cancer
is believed to be no different. However, the specific link between the
onset of pancreatic cancer and any one or a combination of these
extraneous factors has yet to be determined. A significant body of
research is developing around a possible hereditary link in pancreatic
cancer, but even the results of these studies have shown that only 5 to
10 percent of cases have genetic links.
Although awareness of cancer's prevalence in the United States
improves and medical advances in the field abound, pancreatic cancer
has largely been absent from the list of major success stories.
Surgical procedures may have increased the survival chances of some
with the disease, but there has been little momentum in advancing
diagnostics or nonsurgical oncological treatments beyond palliative
care.
Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important piece of legislation that
draws attention to this devastating disease. We need to make people
more aware of it. We also need to make sure that the National
Institutes of Health has the resources necessary to continue to work
toward finding cures and treatments for pancreatic cancer, all cancers,
and so many other devastating diseases that hurt and strike families
across our country every year.
I urge adoption of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. 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 Virginia (Mr. Tom
[[Page H6984]]
Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H.
Res. 745.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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