[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10179-S10180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 698--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 17, 2008, AS ``NATIONAL 
                           MAMMOGRAPHY DAY''

  Mr. REID (for Mr. Biden (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Casey, Mrs. 
Dole, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Johnson, 
Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Bayh)) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 698

       Whereas, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2008, 
     182,460 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 
     and 40,480 women will die from that disease;
       Whereas it is estimated that about 2,000,000 women were 
     diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1990s, and that in nearly 
     500,000 of those cases the cancer resulted in death;
       Whereas approximately 3,000,000 women in the United States 
     are living with breast cancer, about 2,300,000 have been 
     diagnosed with the disease, and an estimated 1,000,000 do not 
     yet know they have the disease;
       Whereas African-American women suffer a 36 percent greater 
     mortality rate from breast cancer than White women and more 
     than a 100 percent greater mortality rate from breast cancer 
     than women from Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian 
     populations;
       Whereas the risk of breast cancer increases with age, with 
     a woman at age 70 having twice as much of a chance of 
     developing the disease as a woman at age 50;
       Whereas at least 90 percent of the women who get breast 
     cancer have no family history of the disease;
       Whereas mammograms, when operated professionally at a 
     certified facility, can provide safe screening and early 
     detection of breast cancer in many women;
       Whereas mammography is an excellent method for early 
     detection of localized breast cancer, which has a 5-year 
     survival rate of 98 percent;
       Whereas the National Cancer Institute and the American 
     Cancer Society continue to recommend periodic mammograms; and
       Whereas the National Breast Cancer Coalition recommends 
     that each woman and her health care provider make an 
     individual decision about mammography: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 17, 2008, as ``National Mammography 
     Day''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the day with appropriate programs and activities.

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution 
designating October 17, 2008, as ``National Mammography Day.'' This is 
the 16th straight year I have introduced such legislation, and I am 
proud to say that on each occasion the Senate has shown its support for 
the fight against breast cancer by approving the resolution.
  Each year, as I prepare to introduce this resolution, I review the 
latest information from the American Cancer Society about breast 
cancer. For 2008, it is estimated that nearly 182,460 women will be 
diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 40,480 women will die of this 
disease.
  The first several times I introduced this resolution, I commented on 
how gloomy the statistics surrounding breast cancer were. While we 
still must address the unfortunate trend of a higher mortality rate in 
African American women when compared to that of White women and women 
from other minority groups, there are some numbers that give us hope in 
our struggle to defeat this disease. As I mentioned last year, the 
trend over time is that the number of deaths from breast cancer is 
fairly stable and falling from year to year. According to the American 
Cancer Society, the death rate from breast cancer in women has 
decreased since 1990: between 1975-1990, the death rate increased by 
0.4 percent; between 1990-2004, the death rate decreased by 2.2 percent 
annually.
  This decline in the breast cancer mortality rate has been attributed 
to improvements in breast cancer treatment, as well as early detection 
from mammograms and other screening methods. New digital techniques 
make the process of mammography more rapid and precise than before. In 
addition, early detection of breast cancer

[[Page S10180]]

continues to result in extremely favorable outcomes: 98 percent of 
women with localized breast cancer and 84 percent of those with 
regional disease will survive 5 years or longer. Government programs 
will provide free mammograms to those who can't afford them, as well as 
Medicaid eligibility for treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed. 
Information about treatment of breast cancer with surgery, 
chemotherapy, and radiation therapy has exploded, reflecting enormous 
research developments with regards to this disease. Thanks to the 
advances in research, screening, and treatment, a diagnosis of breast 
cancer is not a death sentence, all of us encounter long-term survivors 
of this disease almost daily, whether we realize it or not.
  Recently, there has been discussion among scientists regarding the 
best and most appropriate screening tool for breast cancer, traditional 
mammography or more advanced technology like magnetic resonance 
imaging, MRI. In addition, newspapers have been filled with discussions 
over whether the scientific evidence actually supports the conclusion 
that periodic screening mammography saves lives. For those of us who 
are neither physicians nor scientists in this highly technical area, we 
look to the experts. The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer 
Institute, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force all continue to 
recommend periodic screening mammography. However, it is also of note, 
that in 2007, an expert panel convened by the American Cancer Society 
released new recommendations for the use of MRIs for women at increased 
risk. The Society recommended annual screening, including an MRI in 
addition to mammography for high risk women, lifetime risk of greater 
than 20 percent, of developing the disease. Women with moderately 
increased risk of developing the disease, lifetime risk of 15 to 20 
percent, should discuss with their physician the option of an MRI in 
addition to their annual mammogram. Women that do not fall into the 
high or moderate risk categories have no need to supplement their 
mammogram with an MRI.
  I know that some women don't get annual mammograms due to fear or 
forgetfulness. It is only human nature for some to avoid mammograms 
because they are afraid of what the tests will reveal. To those who are 
fearful, I would say that if you get periodic routine mammograms, and 
the latest one indicates a possible cancer, even before any symptoms or 
before detection of a lump through a self-exam, you have great reason 
to be optimistic. Such early detected breast cancers are highly 
treatable.
  Then there is forgetfulness. I understand how difficult it is to 
remember to schedule an annual appointment. This is where National 
Mammography Day comes in. On that day, let's make sure that each woman 
we know picks a specific date on which to get a mammogram each year, a 
date that she won't forget: a child's birthday, an anniversary, perhaps 
even the day her taxes are due. On National Mammography Day, let's ask 
our loved ones: pick one of these dates, fix it in your mind along with 
a picture of your child, your wedding, or another symbol of that date, 
and promise yourself to get a mammogram on that day. Once you pick a 
date, call your health care provider and make the appointment. If you 
have access to the internet, go to the American Cancer Society's 
website and sign up for the mammogram reminder service they'll send you 
an e-mail to remind you about the date you picked. Do it for yourself 
and your loved ones who want you to be part of their lives for as long 
as possible.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in the ongoing fight 
against breast cancer by supporting this resolution to designate 
October 17, 2008, as ``National Mammography Day.''

                          ____________________