[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 150 (Thursday, October 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RUBEN HINOJOSA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2007

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to comment on Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month. Thousands of women everyday face a daunting fight 
against this disease. This is a time to recognize this modem-day 
medical challenge affecting so many women and their families.
  The medical professionals who assist women through early detection or 
treatment should be highly commended this month. This is why it is 
important to congratulate medical partners such as Knapp Medical Center 
in Weslaco, TX in my Congressional District.
  This Thursday, October 4, Knapp will conduct a Women's Health Fair as 
part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is through community 
awareness of prevention, screening, treatment, and support that women 
are beating breast cancer every year. Every woman is at risk and this 
Health Fair is particularly valuable in the existing health care 
climate when projections estimate that over 40,000 women will die from 
breast cancer this year. Events such as this during Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month are essential.
  The increasing success stories of 2 million women survivors every 
year show that these events empower women to find out how to care for 
themselves and, by extension, their families and communities through 
utilizing cancer screening methods effectively. Knapp Medical Center is 
helping the predominantly Hispanic community in my South Texas region 
with this Health Fair since late detection among Hispanic women is a 
serious concern. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death 
among Hispanic women and the second most commonly diagnosed among this 
group of women.
  I commend Knapp Medical Center and the American Cancer Society and 
their exceptional doctors, nurses, and staff for hosting this free 
public educational event. I urge every American to learn about breast 
cancer and encourage their mothers, daughters, and wives to get checked 
and become informed about the best preventive practices. Finally, 
during this important month I applaud all the efforts of America's 
doctors and researchers who greatly contribute to the success stories 
of our courageous women who live with and beat breast cancer.