[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19258-19259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 745) supporting the goals and 
ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 745

       Whereas over 33,730 people will be diagnosed with 
     pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
       Whereas the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is 99 
     percent, the highest of any cancer;
       Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of 
     cancer death in the United States;
       Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal 
     treatment options for pancreatic cancer;
       Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic cancer generally 
     present themselves, it is too late for an optimistic 
     prognosis, and the average survival rate of those diagnosed 
     with metastasis disease is only 3 to 6 months;
       Whereas pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age, 
     gender, or race, and only 4 percent of patients survive 
     beyond 5 years;
       Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the 
     first national patient advocacy organization serving the 
     pancreatic cancer community, focuses its efforts on public 
     policy, research funding, patient services, and public 
     awareness and education related to developing effective 
     treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
       Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has requested 
     that the Congress designate November as Pancreatic Cancer 
     Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the 
     Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research 
     funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and 
     prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van 
Hollen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 745, introduced by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts), would support the goals and the ideals of 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  Cancer of the pancreas is known to be one of the most devastating and 
deadly forms of cancer. It is the fourth most common cause of death by 
cancer in the United States and recent studies have shown that of the 
estimated 23,000 cases annually, 23 percent will live less than a year. 
With no early detection methods and minimal treatment options, this 
resolution seeks to provide elevated awareness on the risks associated 
with pancreatic cancer, as well as the need for research funding and 
greater treatment options.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for thousands of Americans, a doctor's diagnosis of 
pancreatic cancer is a devastating occasion that can send patients and 
their families into a whirlwind of depression and despair. Every year, 
more than 33,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 
even more startling is the fact that the overwhelming majority of those 
patients will die of pancreatic cancer. Only about 4 percent are 
currently expected to live beyond 5 years. As Mr. Davis said, 
pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in 
the United States.
  After years of research, we are not significantly closer to 
understanding what causes pancreatic cancer. Most cancers are caused by 
environmental, dietary or lifestyle factors, and most pancreatic cancer 
is believed to be no different. However, the specific link between the 
onset of pancreatic cancer and any one or a combination of these 
extraneous factors has yet to be determined. A significant body of 
research is developing around a possible hereditary link in pancreatic 
cancer, but even the results of these studies have shown that only 5 to 
10 percent of cases have genetic links.
  Although awareness of cancer's prevalence in the United States 
improves and medical advances in the field abound, pancreatic cancer 
has largely been absent from the list of major success stories. 
Surgical procedures may have increased the survival chances of some 
with the disease, but there has been little momentum in advancing 
diagnostics or nonsurgical oncological treatments beyond palliative 
care.
  Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important piece of legislation that 
draws attention to this devastating disease. We need to make people 
more aware of it. We also need to make sure that the National 
Institutes of Health has the resources necessary to continue to work 
toward finding cures and treatments for pancreatic cancer, all cancers, 
and so many other devastating diseases that hurt and strike families 
across our country every year.
  I urge adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support House Resolution 745. 
This resolution will help to increase awareness about a horrible 
disease: pancreatic cancer.
  Few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific 
killer. This year alone, over 33,000 people will be diagnosed with this 
disease. Because there are no early detection tools for this cancer, 99 
percent 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 three to six 
months after diagnosis. This is why it is a moral imperative for 
Congress to work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer.

[[Page 19259]]

  Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (known as ``PanCAN'') 
is the only national advocacy organization available for pancreatic 
cancer patients and their families and friends. I became aware of 
PanCAN through a constituent of mine, Bob Hammen, who lost his wife to 
this terrible disease. PanCAN provides patient support and professional 
education about this disease, while coordinating advocacy programs to 
focus national attention on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.
  PanCAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 
With the passage of H. Res. 745, Congress will be supporting PanCAN's 
efforts to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer so that scientific 
advancements can lead to some 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.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 745.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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