[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 138 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PANCREATIC CANCER
(Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize the first ever World
Pancreatic Cancer Day in an effort to shed a light on this disease as
well as the determination to eradicate it.
Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer that still has a 5-year
survival rate in the single digits, at just 6 percent. That is in stark
contrast to the overall survival rate for cancer, which is now 67
percent. Even more alarming, pancreatic cancer is now estimated to
become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United
States by 2020.
While the threat of this disease is real, pancreatic cancer does not
have to be a death sentence. But we need to act now. Working together,
we can push back against this diagnosis. With the combined efforts of
leaders on Capitol Hill, including the many physicians who serve in
this body, medical professionals, community groups, survivors, and
families, we can generate awareness and renewed focus on beating
pancreatic cancer once and for all.
I urge my colleagues to reach across the aisle to support these goals
through commonsense funding proposals and legislation that benefits
all.
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