[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise this October day 
in strong support of and to draw attention to Breast Cancer Awareness 
month. According to the National Cancer Institute, in the United 
States, breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer and the second 
leading cause of cancer-related death in women.
  It is estimated that approximately $8.1 billion is spent in the 
United States each year on treatment of breast cancer. However, while 
the rate of breast cancer diagnosis has increased, the overall breast 
cancer mortality rate has dropped steadily--decreasing by 1.8% per year 
from 1999 to 2005 among women according to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
  This decrease in mortality rates can be attributed to a combination 
of early detection, expanding screening, and improvements in treatments 
as well as a willingness to openly discuss breast cancer. Breast Cancer 
Awareness month is an opportunity to help the more than 211,000 
American women who learn they have this disease each year. These newly 
diagnosed women, survivors, their families, and all those affected will 
benefit from the research, education, and awareness, which increase 
early diagnoses and save lives that Breast Cancer Awareness month 
highlights.

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