[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          UNDIAGNOSED GYNECOLOGICAL CANCERS IN AMERICAN WOMEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about 
our team's work on behalf of women in my district and across the 
Nation.
  Last month, data from Yale University gynecologists demonstrated that 
between 2 percent and 10 percent of American women undergoing 
gynecological operations end up having missed cancers. It is shocking 
to think that these cancers are found only after women undergo these 
surgeries. These missed cancers are at high risk of being spread by the 
very surgeries these women are undergoing to help them.
  My physician constituents, like the Reed family, tell me that this 
represents an unacceptable and seismic epidemic of undiagnosed 
gynecological cancers that are prone to spread and upstaging with 
catastrophic results.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I have asked the CDC to immediately consider 
guiding gynecologists towards the use of more precise preoperative 
tissue biopsy methods in order to identify the women at risk. I am now 
awaiting a response from CDC leadership with a plan of action aimed at 
containing what is likely to be a shocking epidemic of undiagnosed 
gynecological cancers in American women.
  Mr. Speaker, we must stay focused on this situation in order to 
protect all women from this grave health risk.


                          National Police Week

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week, and 
I am proud to recognize a member of the law enforcement community in 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, whose quick thinking delivered justice to a 
survivor of abuse.
  Officer Michael Marks of the Middletown Township Police Department 
promptly and professionally investigated an allegation of abuse of a 
nonverbal patient who had suffered blunt force trauma. His diligence 
led to a grand jury inquiry, which ultimately brought charges against a 
caretaker, who was later found guilty. Because of the work of Officer 
Marks, this individual will no longer be able to prey on the 
defenseless members of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally thank Officer Marks for his 
work in defending our community and send a message to all of my 
neighbors in Middletown Township that they are undoubtedly safer for 
having him on our police force.


               Recognizing Makefield Women's Association

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, over the past year, women all over our 
country collectively raised their voices and are continuing to change 
our culture for the better.
  Today, I would like to recognize a group of women in our district 
actively working to make Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a better place. 
The Makefield Women's Association in Yardley last month donated over 
$27,000 to local charities, including: A Woman's Place, the Family 
Service Association Emergency Homeless Shelter, the Penndel Community 
Food Pantry, Wrapping Presence, and the Yardley-Makefield Volunteer 
Fire Company.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work of the Makefield Women's 
Association, which greatly improves the quality of life for our 
community. I would especially like to thank the organization's 
president, Jennifer Ketler, for her leadership and for her service.

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