[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2793-E2794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month. As the month draws to a close, it is important that we 
acknowledge the impact that breast cancer has had on both women and men 
in our country. This October marks the 25th anniversary of the 
inaugural National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrating a quarter 
century of awareness, education, and empowerment.
  Each year, approximately 200,000 women and 1,700 men are diagnosed 
with breast cancer and more than 40,000 women and 450 men die from it. 
Breast cancer is sadly the most common cancer in women in the United 
States, but fortunately, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer 
survivors living in the United States today. This disease affects the 
lives of

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so many women and their loved ones, and it is of the utmost importance 
that the public is aware of current information and treatment options.
  I commend organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and others, 
for its dedication to educating the citizens of our community and 
keeping them updated on the status of relevant research. I appreciate 
its commitment to providing more opportunities for individuals to learn 
about the disease, by spreading the message of prevention and awareness 
to wider audiences. In order to prevent breast cancer, we must increase 
our awareness, which makes research, early detection, and treatment all 
the more important as a woman's best defenses in the fight against this 
deadly disease.
  In acknowledging and honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month, doing 
so, we will educate our loved ones across the Nation--many mothers, 
sisters, and friends--on the importance of early detection, so that we 
may prevent as many women from dying as possible.

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