[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 171 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                           HON. NEAL P. DUNN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2021

  Mr. DUNN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of National 
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and in support of the nearly half a 
million veterans living with prostate cancer in the Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA) system. Our nation's heroes are diagnosed with 
prostate cancer at nearly twice the rate of the civilian population, 
and they deserve the best care our nation has to offer.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is already a notable leader 
in prostate cancer care through partnerships with the private sector 
and the nation's leading prostate cancer researchers and physicians, 
but improvements are needed--especially when it comes to consistent 
screening protocols and early diagnosis.
  I have introduced the Veterans' Prostate Cancer Research and 
Treatment Act, which will give the VA the tools to do just that.
  Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed at the VHA and 
this bill will improve the care our veterans receive every step of the 
way. Whether it be at an early screening, the difficult moment a 
veteran receives a prostate cancer diagnosis, during treatment, during 
recovery, or while receiving end-of-life care, our veterans deserve the 
best.
  16,000 veterans are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually--nearly 
43 each day. The most common cancer diagnosed in the VA health system 
should be met with the most recent clinical data, national expertise, 
and state-of-the-art technology.
  Where a veteran resides should not determine the quality of care they 
receive. Early screening saves lives and early screening should be the 
standard of care at every VA.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting veterans with 
prostate cancer this month by supporting the Veteran's Prostate Cancer 
Research and Treatment Act.

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