[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         EARLY DETECTION MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Dahlkemper). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Early 
Detection Month for cancer. The House and Senate have concurred in a 
resolution that I introduced honoring Early Detection Month which is 
the current month, the month of May. Across the country, individuals 
and groups are organizing events to raise public awareness of cancer 
screening and early detection so that any person who gets cancer has a 
chance at survival. It is fitting that Mother's Day should be 
celebrated during Early Detection Month because our mothers, our 
sisters and our daughters are the victims of the second most common 
form of cancer, breast cancer. Just as it is for other forms of cancer, 
early detection is the key to reducing deaths from breast cancer.
  The 1 in 8 Foundation is one of the leading groups working to fight 
against cancer, and it is solely focused on early detection. From its 
headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, Ken Vrana is working to make sure 
women and men across this country are aware of the difference that 
early detection can make in the course of cancer. The foundation is 
engaged in educating and motivating people to become more proactive 
about their health and live longer. In fact, the concurrent resolution 
that honors the efforts of Early Detection Month for breast cancer and 
all forms of cancer only came about because of Ken and the foundation's 
efforts.
  I know personally the difference that early detection can make. 
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with melanoma. My cancer was found 
early because I saw my doctor regularly. I am living proof of the 
importance of early detection. As a cancer survivor myself, I want to 
enable all Americans to have the knowledge and access to care that 
early detection of cancer provides so that it can be treated, and 
cancer survivors can lead long and healthy lives.
  Every year, almost 2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer. 
Tragically, more than one-quarter of these cases result in death. Early 
detection can help patients get early treatment. It can stop the spread 
of the disease before it becomes untreatable or before it requires 
expensive medical treatment and can be the difference between life and 
death. Early detection saves tens of thousands of lives annually but 
also greatly reduces the financial strain on the government and private 
health care services.
  For many common cancers, when the disease is caught early, nine out 
of 10 patients can be saved. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people 
every year are diagnosed with advanced cancer, and all too often, they 
face painful treatments and poor chances of survival. Through forward-
looking investment of taxpayer dollars, we have made great strides in 
cancer research, but treatment often needs to be provided early if we 
want cancer victims to become cancer survivors. Organizations like the 
1 in 8 Foundation work tirelessly to promote early detection so that 
folks can do more than survive cancer; they can regain the full and 
active life they always enjoyed. Organizations like the 1 in 8 
Foundation fights to make sure that Mother's Day is a happy day because 
moms get the caring treatment they need before it is too late.
  Madam Speaker, early detection reduces the tragedy of cancer deaths 
in America. I urge my colleagues to join me in fighting cancer, a 
disease that has claimed so many lives, but with support for early 
detection, it can be beaten, and more people will survive.

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