[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of October 
as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, numerous national 
service organizations, professional medical associations, and 
government and local agencies are working to promote breast cancer 
awareness, share information and provide access to screening services 
to women nationwide.
  As you may know, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death 
among women--around 180,000 women in the United States will be found to 
have invasive breast cancer in 2007. Furthermore, about 40,500 women 
will die from the disease this year. And right now there are slightly 
over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated 
for breast cancer.
  Mr. President, in my home State, of New Jersey, we have one of the 
highest incidence rates of breast cancer in the Nation, averaging 
approximately 8,000 new cases per year. New Jersey also has one of the 
highest morbidity rates associated with breast cancer--approximately 
1,500 deaths per year. These statistics are painful. Mothers and 
sisters and daughters are struggling to survive this disease across the 
country--a disease that is treatable through proper education, early 
diagnosis, and aggressive therapy.
  Routine mammography screening is an especially effective means of 
detecting breast cancer at the earliest stages. That is why during 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I urge women nationally to maintain a 
regular mammography schedule. When breast cancer is diagnosed at early 
stages, the chance of survival greatly increases. Aside from 
mammographies, the American Cancer Society recommends that women obtain 
annual clinical breast exams, perform monthly breast self exams, and 
obtain a risk assessment from a physician to maintain their own breast 
health, and to catch breast cancer at the earliest stage possible.
  Although it may seem like breast cancer solely plagues women, there 
are documented cases, although rare, of male breast cancer. In fact, it 
is estimated that in 2007 some 2,030 new cases of invasive breast 
cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States.
  However, there is hope among these devastating statistics; with 
knowledge and early screening, many cases can be caught early, 
increasing patients' chances of survival tremendously. We need to 
increase our outreach to men and women so we can combat this 
devastating disease.
  It is also important to remember that Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
cannot just be a 31-day event--we must take action every day of the 
year if we have a hope of increasing treatment and saving lives.

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