[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

  (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and 
Prevention Month. Osteoporosis and low bone density affect 44 million 
Americans over the age of 50, many of whom were unaware of the fact 
that they have osteoporosis and, therefore, were unable to take steps 
to prevent it.
  Like many Americans, I had no idea I was at risk for developing 
osteo-
porosis. I thought I simply had bad posture, and it never occurred to 
me to be screened for osteoporosis. Yet when I was running for Congress 
in 1998, I was diagnosed with this disease. Fortunately, within 10 
months of the diagnose with proper treatment I was able to stop my bone 
density loss and my bones actually began to strengthen again.
  Because of my personal experience with osteoporosis, I am committed 
to ensuring that my fellow Americans are aware of the importance of 
early detection and prevention. Men and women can reduce their chances 
of developing this disease. I encourage everyone to see your doctor, 
get screened for osteoporosis. It is a very silent, but very deadly, 
disease.

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