[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 25 (Friday, February 13, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H1052-H1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE FIGHT AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER
(Mr. SALMON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, every day more than 116 people are diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer. During my first tenure in Congress, I worked
very closely with Dr. Sydney Elias Salmon, founding director of the
Arizona Cancer Center. Together, we were able to
[[Page H1053]]
ensure American cancer patients received greater access to lifesaving
clinical trials. Shortly thereafter, pancreatic cancer claimed his
life.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in the U.S. and the
only one of the four that does not have a known cure. In fact, in the
last 5 years, 92 percent of those that have been diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer died during the first year of their diagnosis.
Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers for which the
survival rate has not substantially improved over the last 25 years. It
is time that we eradicate the scourge of cancer once and for all. We
must again focus American ingenuity, dedication, and resources in the
fight against cancer, particularly pancreatic and lung cancers that
have lagged behind in diagnosis and survivability. It is vital that
Congress champion early detection and research during the 114th
Congress.
____________________