[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1867-E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor October 
as Breast Cancer Awarness Month.
  Each year, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a special time to 
celebrate how far we have come on the path to eliminating breast 
cancer, reflect on all we have accomplished, and redouble our efforts 
for the future.
  This year is special because it marks the 20th Anniversary of the 
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which 
provides breast health services to underserved women. This life-saving 
program has served more than 3.7 million women over the past two 
decades.
  We have made so much progress in the past year for breast cancer 
treatment and awareness. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 
enacts meaningful reforms for so many Americans, but it will prove 
especially beneficial for those facing cancer.
  Through health care reform, we guaranteed that no longer will cancer 
patients face losing their health care at the moment treatment is 
needed most. No longer will those battling disease face the atrocious 
burden of lifetime or annual caps on their treatment. And, a provision 
that is not only life-changing but life-saving for all cancer 
survivors: no longer will anyone be denied coverage due to a pre-
existing condition!
  If our health care system does not work for cancer patients, it 
simply does not work at all; so I am so thrilled to have been able to 
support these vital reforms for previvors, survivors, and all American 
families.
  Early detection of breast cancer is a key to surviving the disease. 
We must ensure all women have access to affordable breast health 
services, and we must maintain our investment in innovative research to 
develop better screening tools and treatments for breast cancer.
  When I was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after my 41st 
birthday, I was shocked to have to deal with the disease--especially as 
a relatively young woman.
  So often, young women are not aware of their risks, but young women 
can and do get breast cancer.
  That's why, as soon as I was cancer-free, I introduced H.R. 1740--the 
Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or 
the EARLY Act, to educate young women about their risks, empower them 
to know their bodies and speak up about their health, and work together 
to wipe out this deadly disease. And, with the passage of Health Reform 
we turned the EARLY Act from legislation into the law of the land!
  Going forward, there is so much more work to be done. Every 69 
seconds, somewhere in the world a woman dies of breast cancer--nearly 
half a million women this year alone, making it the leading cancer 
killer of women worldwide. Breast cancer will strike 1.3 million women 
this year alone and one in eight women will be diagnosed during her 
lifetime. This is simply not acceptable.
  There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. 
today. I am one of those women--living proof of the power of education, 
early detection, and the incredible advances in treatment of the 
disease.
  Today, we honor and recognize all those women who have won their 
fight against breast cancer, are still fighting the disease, those 
mothers, sisters, friends and wives we have lost, and those who work 
tirelessly every day to ensure that one day no one else will die from 
breast cancer.
  I am so grateful to all of the wonderful and inspiring advocacy 
groups who have stood strong as my partners in the fight against this 
cancer.
  During this special time we stand together in solidarity, wholly 
committed to increasing early diagnoses, saving more lives, and 
ultimately, finding a cure to wipe out this deadly disease.

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