[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2666-E2667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, October is Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month. Besides skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common 
cancer occurring among American women. In 2009, it is estimated that 
around 179,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 
the United States. And, an estimated 1 million new breast cancer cases 
will be identified in the coming year. For approximately 500,000 
patients this year, this disease will be fatal. The time to address 
this problem is now.
  I encourage all women to get a mammogram because early detection is 
the key to beating this disease. A time commitment of only one hour can 
save your life.
  I am a proud sponsor of H.R. 1691, the Breast Cancer Patient 
Protection Act of 2009. This bill would prohibit a health care provider 
from limiting hospital stays for mastectomy or breast-conserving 
surgery to less than 48 hours. However, this measure protects and 
defers to the physician-patient relationship by not mandating a certain 
hospital stay if both

[[Page E2667]]

the patient and her doctor agree that such stay is unnecessary. Many 
breast cancer patients undergo some type of surgical treatment, which 
may involve lumpectomy or mastectomy. Breast cancer surgery is not 
easy, physically or emotionally. When women find themselves forced by 
their insurance companies to leave the hospital before they are ready--
sometimes just hours after surgery--it can lead to serious 
complications.
  I am also a sponsor of H.R. 1740, the Breast Cancer Education and 
Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (the EARLY Act), which would 
direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and 
implement a national educational campaign to increase awareness of the 
threats posed by breast cancer in young women of all ethnic and 
cultural backgrounds. Regarding research funding, I sponsored 
legislation that raises money for breast cancer research by giving 
Americans the option of purchasing a special postage stamp for 14 cents 
above the normal price. This small amount of money adds up and makes a 
difference. Since 1997, the program has raised more than $53 million 
for breast cancer research.
  Last year, I met two breast cancer survivors from the Kansas City 
area who were visiting Washington, D.C. for a reception honoring their 
advocacy efforts. Kim Carlos and Jennifer Johnson coauthored Nordie's 
at Noon, a book detailing their personal stories and those of others 
who have battled breast cancer. Their powerful message highlights the 
importance of spreading breast cancer education and early detection 
awareness to help save lives.
  The University of Kansas Cancer Center houses the Breast Cancer 
Survivorship Center, and focuses a comprehensive attack on the 
disease--from education and early detection to treatment, post-
operative care, and emotion support. Battling breast cancer and other 
forms of cancer is a lifetime fight and just because a patient's 
treatment concludes does not mean that the care is finished. The 
Center's mission is very straightforward--eliminate the burden of 
cancer through world-class research, drug development and delivery, 
prevention and survivorship, and patient care. When it comes to 
fighting cancer, the University of Kansas says ``Game On!''

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