[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month we stand 
together with those who have bravely faced this disease, as well as to 
raise awareness toward finding a cure.
  I am proud to wear this pink ribbon pin in support of National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month and to recognize the importance of early 
detection in an effort to eradicate this disease, includin encouraging 
women and men to follow recommended screening guidelines. Furthermore, 
we must make certain that every woman has access to regular mammography 
screenings.
  For more than 20 years, the observance of National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month each October has provided a time for us all to reflect 
on loved ones who have won and lost the battle against breast cancer.
  Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 
thirteen minutes one woman will die of breast cancer in the United 
States. In Florida alone, an estimated 15,330 new cases of invasive 
breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2011 and 2,690 of these 
women will die from this disease. These statistics are some of the many 
reasons I am a supporter of legislation and action that aids the fight 
to end breast cancer. I have also signed the National Breast Cancer 
Coalition's Congressional Declaration of Support for Breast Cancer 
Deadline 2020. By declaring my support to end breast cancer by January 
1, 2020, I am proud to commit to continuing to educate myself and my 
constituents about the issues surrounding breast cancer.
  Unfortunately, today we see a decline in screening rates. A recent 
study of 1.5 million women found that of those over the age of forty, 
with health insurance, less than fifty percent had received the 
recommended annual screening. The key to ending this disease is early 
detection, which reduces costs associated with the disease. The costs 
for early stage treatment are estimated at approximately $22,350 per 
person, while late stage treatment costs nearly $120,000 per person. 
Early detection of this life threatening disease is crucial to saving 
lives and ultimately reduces the burden on patients and our health 
system.
  There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. 
today. They are the embodiment of bravery, as well as to the importance 
of promoting awareness about breast cancer, following recommended 
guidelines, offering treatment to those affected, and continuing to 
fund groundbreaking research.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend those advocates, survivors, and men and women 
who fight the disease every single day. In honor of National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage everyone to make a renewed 
commitment to following recommended screening guidelines and I will 
continue the effort here in Congress to eradicate breast cancer by 
supporting breast health awareness, education, research, screening and 
referrals.

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