[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the significant 
threat prostate cancer poses to the male population in the United 
States.
  The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 217,000 American 
men will learn that they have prostate cancer in 2010, and 32,000 
American men will lose their lives to the disease this year, making 
prostate cancer the second most common cause of cancer death among men.
  One out of every six American men will be diagnosed with prostate 
cancer, and an estimated one in 36 men will die from this disease.
  African-American men experience a significantly higher incidence rate 
of prostate cancer than White males, and more than double the mortality 
rate.
  This disease is also affecting young Americans. Thirty percent of 
those battling prostate cancer are under the age of 65, prime years of 
productivity for families and for this Nation.
  Doctors across our country agree: early detection presents the best 
chance for a cure. However, this motto is more than good public policy 
for me.
  As a 10 year prostate cancer survivor myself, I know the value of 
early detection and surgery, and it is painful for me to know that many 
good people in this great country are not being diagnosed early and are 
therefore greatly increasing their risk. The simple PSA blood test can 
be the key to detection. Millions have taken advantage of it, but 
unfortunately millions do not. We must do better.
  Approximately 98 percent of men diagnosed with early stage prostate 
cancer are still alive after 10 years, but only 18 percent of those 
diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer survive 10 years.
  Increasing awareness of prostate cancer is particularly important to 
my home State of Alabama. Although we have world class medical research 
facilities at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and excellent 
doctors across the State, 3,300 men in Alabama will develop prostate 
cancer in 2010, and 600 deaths in our State will be attributed to 
prostate cancer this year.
  In May 2006, Alabama was one of 5 States to receive a failing grade 
in regards to its ``prostate cancer awareness'' by the National 
Prostate Cancer Coalition. A 2006 CDC study found that 38 out of 
100,000 Alabama men die from prostate cancer, ranking Alabama 47th in 
the US.
  Every year since 2002, I have introduced a resolution to increase 
awareness about prostate cancer and to encourage men to talk with their 
doctors about this disease.
  I am pleased to partner with ZERO: The Project to End Prostate Cancer 
in promoting this year's resolution and other activities throughout the 
month of September to increase public knowledge about prostate cancer 
including risk factors, prevention, and treatment options.
  Last night the Senate passed S. Res. 597, a resolution to designate 
September 2010 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The purpose 
of this resolution is to bring attention to prostate cancer and 
encourage Americans to take an active role in the fight to end the 
devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals and their 
families.
  I am honored to be joined on this resolution with 28 cosponsors, 
including Senators Bayh, Bennett, Boxer, Burr, Burris, Cardin, Casey, 
Chambliss, Cochran, Crapo, Dodd, Dorgan, Feingold, Feinstein, Hatch, 
Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson, Kerry, Landrieu, Lugar, 
Schumer, Shelby, Specter, Tester, and Vitter.
  I thank my Senate colleagues that have worked to increase prostate 
cancer awareness through this resolution, and I applaud the work of 
countless Americans who give up their time and energy to raise 
awareness of this disease and fight prostate cancer's impact on 
families and our Nation.

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