[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7194-S7195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 222--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC 
                         CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mr. Smith) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 222

       Whereas over 37,170 people will be diagnosed with 
     pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
       Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of 
     cancer death in the United States;
       Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within 
     the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive 
     more than 5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of 
     any cancer;
       Whereas there has been no significant improvement in 
     survival rates in the last 25 years and pancreatic cancer 
     research is still in the earliest scientific stages;
       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 of the disease is only 3 to 6 months;
       Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 40 to 50 
     percent higher in African Americans than in other ethnic 
     groups; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to observe November as 
     Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to educate communities 
     across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for 
     research funding, early detection methods, effective 
     treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
which supports the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness 
Month. This resolution is an important step toward bringing the public 
awareness, funding for research, and congressional attention that is 
essential for addressing one of the most lethal cancers we face as a 
Nation.
  I doubt that there is one person who hasn't lost a friend or family 
member to cancer, or knows someone who has. The American Cancer Society 
tells us that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer 
death in the United States. The reality is that pancreatic cancer will 
take over 33,000 American lives this year, more than 2,330 in New York. 
And yet, there are no early detection methods and our best treatment is 
a surgical procedure that is more than 70 years old.
  I believe that we can do better. This resolution encourages 
communities across the country to use the month of November to bring 
attention to what we have left to tackle. We need research dollars to 
create early detection methods, to find effective treatments, and to 
raise awareness about this deadly disease.
  I am proud to introduce the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 
resolution today, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting 
this critical health issue.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
that recognizes November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 
I am pleased to be joining my colleague, Senator Clinton, in 
introducing this resolution, which represents a way to educate 
communities across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for 
increased research funding, early detection methods, and effective 
treatments and programs.
  Like many Americans, I have seen the ramifications of cancer first 
hand. I support this resolution in honor and loving memory of the 
millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 
and their families, and for my mother, Jessica Udall Smith, whom I lost 
to pancreatic cancer.
  Pancreatic cancer is hard to detect in its early stages as it doesn't 
cause symptoms right away. Also, because the pancreas is hidden behind 
other organs, health care providers cannot see or feel the tumors 
during routine

[[Page S7195]]

exams. Because there are no early detection methods, pancreatic cancer 
often is found late and spreads quickly.
  This year, more than 37,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of 
pancreatic cancer and for over 33,000 of them, it will be their killer. 
While overall cancer death rates have declined, the number of people 
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is actually increasing. It is 
projected that this year, 440 Oregonians will die from pancreatic 
cancer. That represents a 17-percent increase in pancreatic cancer 
deaths in Oregon over the last 3 to 4 years.
  Individuals fighting pancreatic cancer continue to face 
discouragingly low odds of survival. In 1975, the 5 year survival rate 
for pancreatic cancer was 2 percent. Twenty-five years later, the 
survival rate remain at an unacceptably low level of 5 percent, making 
this cancer the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Indeed, 
pancreatic cancer is considered the deadliest cancer, of which 75 
percent of patients diagnosed with this disease die within the first 
year and most within the first 3 to 6 months. Early detection tools, 
such as those that currently are available for ovarian, colon, breast 
and prostate cancer, would make a significant impact on pancreatic 
cancer, but those tools require a new investment in basic scientific 
research at the National Cancer Institute, NCI.
  In recent years, funding for cancer research has fallen behind the 
promise made during the doubling of the budget for the National 
Institutes for Health, NIH. When NIH funding was first doubled, success 
rates for first submissions of grant requests to the NCI were 30 
percent overall and 15 percent for new investigators. Those rates now 
have dropped to an average of 10 percent across the board. 
Unfortunately, we are anticipating cuts to other NCI programs that 
advance research, such as the Specialized Programs of Research 
Excellence program, which provides vital opportunities to explore new 
areas of research.
  I support biomedical research and the great promise it holds in the 
development of new treatments and possible cures for the many types of 
cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Past investments at the NCI have 
helped drive new discoveries that led to the decline in overall cancer 
deaths in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Now is the time to 
expand our efforts in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
  I ask that my colleagues support this resolution, which will help 
increase research, education and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

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