[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 95 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PANCREATIC CANCER

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                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 28, 2013

  Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my concerns about the 
future of an essential cancer research program which suffered dreadful 
cuts from sequestration.
  As you know, our country made great strides in overall cancer 
research efforts, but we must do more. There is a long way yet to go in 
the pancreatic cancer battle in particular. There is still no way to 
detect the disease early, or to treat it effectively after diagnosis. 
Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer where less than ten percent 
of those affected live for five years, and this is heartbreaking.
  Last year, Congress passed the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, a 
bipartisan bill which I was proud to support. In doing so, we tasked 
the National Cancer Institute with the responsibility of developing a 
strategy for fighting pancreatic and other deadly cancers. The 
Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act will support new research programs and 
will help find diagnostic tools and more effective treatments for 
pancreatic cancer and similar diseases.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, none of that progress will be realized 
without protecting the resources which allow the National Institutes of 
Health and the National Cancer Institute to accomplish this law's life-
saving goals. With sequestration in effect, the NIH has already lost 
$1.55 billion in funding necessary for grant programs and other 
projects.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to protect these resources. We must 
come together to fight one of our greatest health challenges, and 
finding a positive, sustainable solution to sequestration. Too many 
people, too many families are praying and expecting a solution. 
Sequestration must come to an end. We must come together, and we must 
end this terrible reality now.

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