[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E726-E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my strong support 
of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week increases 
awareness about the effects of cancer in minority communities and is 
dedicated to emphasizing the importance of early cancer detection.
  Today, minorities are more likely to be diagnosed and die from cancer 
in comparison to the rest of the United States population. According to 
the American Cancer Society, African American men have a 37 percent 
higher cancer death rate than white men, and death rates for African 
American women are about 17 percent higher than rates for white women, 
despite the fact that African American women have lower cancer 
incidence rates than white women.
  Disparities in breast cancer for minority women are among the most 
common. Studies have highlighted that African American women are 1.9 
times more likely to be diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast 
cancer than white women. Hispanic women are 1.4 times more likely to be 
diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer than white women. It 
is clear that, although there have been efforts to eliminate 
disparities in breast cancer related care, substantial disparities 
remain.

[[Page E727]]

  Today, in accordance with National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, I 
introduce, the Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act 
of 2008. This legislation will promote the implementation of 
standardized health care practices for breast cancer patients and help 
to eliminate inequities based on race, education, income, and health 
insurance status.
  In order to eliminate unacceptable gaps in treatment quality, it is 
necessary that we create real incentives and requirements for doctors 
to provide the best care. All patients should receive the best 
treatment for their conditions. Quality care should be provided for 
everyone, not just patients that know to ask for it.

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