[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26777]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In October 2003, the National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month campaign celebrates 18 years of educating women 
about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the disease 
in its earliest stages through screening mammography, clinical breast 
examination, and for women 20 years of age and older, breast self-
examination.
  The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, 
first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or 
throughout the month, radiologists provide discounted or free screening 
mammograms.
  In 2002, more than 680 American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited 
facilities took part. In 2003, National Mammography Day was celebrated 
on October 17.
  Ohio ranks as the 6th highest percentage of new cases of breast 
cancer in the nation. Ohio ties with Illinois for the 6th highest 
percentage of deaths due to breast cancer in the nation.
  All women are at risk for developing breast cancer. The older a woman 
is, the greater her chances of developing breast cancer. Approximately 
77% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50 years of age.
  According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 
Program of the National Cancer Institute:
  White, Hawaiian, and African-American women have the highest 
incidence of invasive breast cancer in the United States (approximately 
four times higher than the lowest group);
  Korean, American Indian, and Vietnamese women have the lowest 
incidence of invasive breast cancer in the United States.
  African-Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer and 
are more likely to be diagnosed with a later stage of breast cancer 
than White women;
  In the age groups, 30-54 and 55-69 years, African-American women have 
the highest death rate from breast cancer, followed by Hawaiian women, 
and white non-Hispanic women. However, in the 70 year old age group, 
the death rate from breast cancer for white women is higher than for 
African-American.
  The key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment. 
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is 
confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%. 
The early detection of breast cancer helps reduce the need for 
therapeutic treatment and minimizes pain and suffering, allowing women 
to continue leading happy, productive lives.
  Beginning at the age of 20, every woman should practice monthly 
breast self-exams and begin a routine program of breast health, 
including scheduling physician performed clinical breast exams at least 
every three years. As a woman ages, her risk of breast cancer also 
increases. About 77% of women with breast cancer are over age 50 at the 
time of diagnosis. Women between the ages of 20 and 29 account for only 
0.3% of breast cancer cases. Beginning at the age of 40, all women 
should have annual screening, mammograms, receive clinical breast exams 
each year, and practice breast self-exams every month.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reiterate my support for National Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month. ``Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,'' is a 
true pink slogan of this year's American Cancer Society campaign to 
educate women and girls about breast cancer. In 2000, the ACS fought to 
make the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act federal law, 
earmarking $1,000,000,000 to treat medically underserved women. The 
reality is that breast cancer spells death for approximately 40,000 
women in the U.S. a year. There is an urgency to educate and support 
early detection, which is critical to prevent this ugly mass.
  The cost of breast cancer on women's lives cannot be overstated. As 
Cleveland ``Plain Dealer'' columnist Regina Brett stated in 2000: ``The 
approximate cost for surgery for breast cancer is $6,000. Four cycles 
of chemotherapy is approximately $5,000. Six weeks of radiation is 
$16,000. Living to see your children grow up: PRICELESS.'' Day after 
day, when dollars are not provided for research and or treatment, more 
women struggle and don't receive the medical assistance that is needed. 
If you don't have insurance or enough revenue Liz Schulte, president of 
Northern Ohio Breast Cancer Coalition states, ``you quit your job, sell 
your car, give up your home and go on disability.''

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