[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20571]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As we acknowledge 
the progress that has been made toward finding a cure for this deadly 
disease, let us also place a special emphasis on the importance of 
continued research, mammography coverage and treatment options.
  All women are at risk for breast cancer. The causes of this disease 
are not fully understood and researchers are still unsure how to 
prevent it. This year alone, an estimated 203,000 American women will 
be diagnosed with breast cancer, and almost 40,000 will die as a result 
of their illness. The good news however, is there are steps every woman 
can take that will make developing breast cancer less likely. These 
include a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol intake 
and an annual mammogram. Regular screenings remain the most effective 
way to identify breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable 
stages. For women 40 and over, having mammograms every I to 2 years can 
significantly reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
  To prevent breast cancer, we must increase awareness of its risk 
factors and causes. Age and genetic factors have been shown to increase 
risk, and researchers are now exploring how diet and hormonal factors 
are linked to possible causes. This information will help women and 
their doctors make more informed health care choices. Although 
mammography use has risen, many women are still not making mammography 
screening part of their routine health care.
  Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger 
women, even though breast cancer risk increases dramatically with age. 
In addition, Hispanic women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian women 
and African American women. While mammography rates are increasing for 
women with health insurance, they have remained low for women without 
coverage, according to the Commonwealth Fund Surveys of Women's Health. 
Women below poverty level are less likely to have had a mammogram 
within the past two years. New efforts are needed to reach older women, 
racial and ethnic minorities, and women of low income.
  Chances of survival are greater if the disease is detected early. In 
fact, when breast cancer is confined to the breast, the 5-year survival 
rate is over 95 percent. Researchers and physicians have made 
tremendous progress in understanding this disease and working toward a 
cure, but much remains to be done. We must still focus on risk factors, 
prevention, early detection, diagnosing and staging, treatment, and 
support care. As we recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
let us remember all of those who have lost loved ones to this disease 
and let us also dedicate this month to all the victims, survivors, 
volunteers and professionals who combat breast cancer each day.

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