[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                EARLY DETECTION MONTH FOR BREAST CANCER

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                               speech of

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 20, 2010

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support designating an Early 
Detection Month for Breast Cancer and All Forms of Cancer (H. Con. Res. 
158). As a cancer survivor myself, I stand here as proof that early 
detection can save lives.
  While the search for a cancer cure continues, much progress has been 
made in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment of cancers. 
However, there are still over 2 million new cases of cancer diagnosed 
each year.
  The statistics are alarming: Breast cancer remains one of the most 
prevalent cancers affecting women, and prostate cancer is the second 
leading cause of cancer death among men. Only non-melanoma skin cancer 
remains more common for men and women overall. Right now, it is 
estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer 
in their lifetime, and one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate 
cancer.
  Sadly, thousands of West Virginia women faced breast cancer diagnosis 
in 2009 alone. Yet each year, more women survive their battle with 
breast cancer due to medical advances in early detection and treatment. 
Medical researchers, including those at Marshall University's Joan C. 
Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia, are working 
hard to improve those figures--but early detection remains an important 
key to saving lives, which is why I strongly support this effort to 
designate an Early Detection Month to bring attention and focus to this 
critical issue.
  The steady decline in deaths resulting from breast cancer can be 
attributed to an increase in the number of women who receive mammograms 
and the development of powerful new drugs that successfully treat 
cancer.
  As many of you are aware, in 2006 I was diagnosed with prostate 
cancer and subsequently underwent surgery. I am very thankful for all 
of the West Virginians who contacted me, offering their prayers and 
support as I prepared for my procedures, through my recovery, and up to 
this day. I am also truly grateful to the doctors who were able to 
diagnose my cancer early and--with immediate treatment, they improved 
my chances for survival.
  Cancer screening is often quick and easy and many testing measures 
can be performed in a local doctor's office. So many lives can be saved 
and so many families spared a tragic heartache of dealing with cancer 
diagnosis. That is why I support H. Con. Res. 158 and the efforts to 
encourage early detection since the bottom line with cancer is raising 
awareness and early detection saves lives.

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