[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22522]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support House Resolution 
276. This resolution will help increase awareness about a horrible 
disease: Pancreatic cancer.
  Few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific 
killer. This year alone, over 32,180 people will be diagnosed with this 
disease. Because there are no early detection tools for this cancer, 
99% of those diagnosed will lose their lives.
  Many Americans are not aware that pancreatic cancer has the highest 
mortality rate of all cancers; most patients only survive 3 to 6 months 
after diagnosis. This is why it is a moral imperative for Congress to 
work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer.
  Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (known as ``Pan 
CAN'') is the only national advocacy organization available for 
pancreatic cancer patients and their families and friends. I became 
aware of Pan CAN through a constituent of mine, Bob Hammen, who lost 
his wife to this terrible disease. Pan CAN provides patient support and 
professional education about this disease, while coordinating advocacy 
programs to focus national attention on finding a cure for pancreatic 
cancer.
  Pan CAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 
With the passage of H. Res. 276, Congress will be supporting Pan CAN's 
efforts to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer so that scientific 
advancements can lead to early detection programs and effective 
treatments.
  Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have family, friends 
and neighbors who are regrettably vulnerable to this dreaded disease, I 
urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here 
today.

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