[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]




                 HONORING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To raise 
awareness for breast cancer prevention, I want to stress the importance 
of regular mammograms and following recommended screening guidelines.
  Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer in 
women worldwide. Every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast 
cancer in the U.S. alone. Every thirteen minutes, a woman dies of 
breast cancer. While these statistics are shocking, there is hope.
  The 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today have shown 
that early detection and timely treatment are the keys to fighting the 
disease. The five-year survival rate for women who are diagnosed at the 
early stage of the disease's development has risen to 98 percent. It is 
undeniable that early detection saves lives.
  Unfortunately, despite what we already know, the number of women 
receiving regular mammograms has declined in the past ten years. A 
recent study discovered that fewer than 50 percent of women over the 
age of 40 with health insurance had received a recommended annual 
mammogram. This must change.
  In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to 
encourage women to follow the recommended screening guidelines. I hope 
this message reaches every woman, and together we can commit to ending 
breast cancer forever.

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