[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National 
Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week of awareness gave us the 
opportunity to highlight the issues and concerns that minority cancer 
patients and their families face on a daily basis. It is important that 
we acknowledge the challenges present for minorities who suffer with 
cancer so that we can take the necessary steps to alleviate these 
barriers.
  Cancer patients endure chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical 
operations and other forms of medical treatment to fight the numerous 
types of cancer. The medical community continues to conduct research to 
find cures for cancer and develop more effective ways to treat 
individuals struggling with the disease. Unfortunately these medical 
advances are out of reach for many minorities dealing with cancer. The 
American Cancer Society has documented that the advances in cancer 
prevention, early detection, and treatment has evaded minority groups:
  Minority populations often face numerous obstacles receiving equal 
access to prevention, early detection, and quality treatment and tend 
to receive lower quality health care than white patients even when 
insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are 
comparable.
  Racial and ethnic minorities may lack health insurance, earn lower 
incomes, and experience language barriers, racial bias, and 
stereotyping which can affect interactions between patients and 
physicians and contribute to miscommunication or delivery of 
substandard care.
  Eighteen percent of African Americans and 35 percent of Hispanic/
Latinos are uninsured, while only 12 percent of whites lack health 
insurance.
  I applaud the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society 
Cancer Action Network for bringing national awareness to the issues 
faced by minority cancer patients and for their efforts in celebrating 
National Minority Cancer Awareness Week.

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