[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NUCLEAR MEDICINE WEEK

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my 
colleagues that October 1-7 is Nuclear Medicine Week. Celebrated 
annually during the first full week of October at hospitals, clinics, 
imaging centers, educational institutions, and corporations around the 
world, Nuclear Medicine Week encourages members of the molecular 
imaging and nuclear medicine community to take pride in their 
profession by recognizing their colleagues for their hard work and to 
educate the public about molecular imaging and nuclear science.
  I am proud to note that the Reston, Virginia-based Society of Nuclear 
Medicine is in my District. The Society of Nuclear Medicine represents 
over 16,000 physicians, technologists, and scientists specializing in 
the research and practice of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. 
Since the organization's founding in 1954, the Society of Nuclear 
Medicine has been dedicated to promoting the science, technology, and 
practical application of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. I 
commend the Society and its members for their outstanding work to 
ensure that the 20 million people annually who rely on molecular 
imaging and nuclear medicine procedures to diagnose and manage diseases 
like cancer and Alzheimer's receive quality care.
  Nuclear medicine is an established specialty that performs 
noninvasive molecular imaging procedures to diagnose and treat diseases 
such as cancer and to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic 
treatments. It contributes extensively to the management of patients 
with cancer, including cancer of the brain, breast, blood, bone, bone 
marrow, liver, lungs, pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, and prostate. Nuclear 
medicine treatments such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans 
are crucial in effectively identifying whether cancer is present or 
not, if it has spread, if it is responding to treatment, and the cancer 
is in remission.
  Molecular imaging also continues to provide critical information to 
help doctors, technicians, and other health care personnel manage 
abnormalities of the heart, brain, and kidneys. In fact, recent 
advances in the detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be 
attributed to nuclear medicine imaging procedures, These advances--
which were made possible by research performed by nuclear medicine 
professionals--helped lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) to extend Medicare coverage to include PET scans for 
some beneficiaries who suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementia-
related diseases.
  From advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment to recent 
breakthroughs in Alzheimer's and dementia research, nuclear medicine is 
improving lives. I applaud the Society of Nuclear Medicine and its 
members for their efforts to educate others on these major healthcare 
innovations during Nuclear Medicine Week, and I urge my Colleagues to 
join me in supporting policies that will keep our Nation on the cutting 
edge of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine research.




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