[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 25692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL CANCER PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 252, submitted 
earlier today by Senator Hollings.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 252) designating the month of 
     February 2004 as ``National Cancer Prevention Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, cancer is a disease that affects 
families of all backgrounds in all parts of the country. This year over 
550,000 individuals will lose their life due to this terrible illness. 
While we must continue to pursue promising avenues of research that 
will hopefully lead to a cure, individuals can take a number steps to 
reduce their risk of acquiring cancer.
  Research shows that proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, 
smoking cessation, and receiving timely screening procedures can all 
reduce cancer occurrences. Unfortunately, many Americans do not take 
this advice and many others are unaware of the steps they can to help 
prevent cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that nutritional 
factors and tobacco use contribute to approximately two-thirds of 
cancer deaths. In addition many individuals neglect early detection 
procedures. Only 50 percent of individuals receive the recommended 
screening for colon cancer, only 60 percent of men receive a timely 
prostate-specific antigen test, and 70 percent of women receive 
recommended mammographies.
  Today I submitted a resolution to declare February 2004 as National 
Cancer Prevention Month. It is my hope that communities across the 
country will take this opportunity to educate one another on the steps 
they can take to prevent cancer.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution and the preamble be agreed to en bloc; that the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, without any intervening action or 
debate; and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed 
in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 252) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 252

       Whereas cancer is one of the most prevalent and devastating 
     diseases to face society in the United States, taking over 
     550,000 lives in the United States every year;
       Whereas early detection of some cancers can prevent the 
     disease from reaching an advanced, potentially fatal stage;
       Whereas recent advances in molecular biology have begun to 
     explain the basic origins of cancer;
       Whereas these research advances have opened new 
     opportunities for cancer prevention research, giving 
     increased optimism for effective cancer control;
       Whereas the people of the United States need to be aware of 
     these research advances and early detection opportunities so 
     that they can better understand how to prevent cancer in 
     themselves and their families; and
       Whereas the people of the United States also need to 
     recognize and be reminded that they can help prevent cancer 
     through lifestyle changes, including modification of diet, 
     cessation of smoking, and regular exercise: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates February 2004 as ``National Cancer 
     Prevention Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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