[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 1581-1582]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      EARLY CANCER DETECTION MONTH

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions Committee be discharged from further consideration of H. 
Con. Res. 158 and the Senate proceed to the consideration of that 
matter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 158) expressing 
     support for the designation of an Early Detection Month for 
     breast cancer and all forms of cancer.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, I rise in support of Senate passage of H. 
Con. Res. 158, the House companion to a resolution I introduced last 
August to highlight greater awareness of breast and other cancers by 
designating an early cancer detection month. This House resolution is 
sponsored by my good friend and colleague from North Carolina, 
Congressman Bob Etheridge.
  Almost every person has been touched by cancer, either personally or 
through a family member or friend who has suffered from some form of 
the disease. Sadly, every year, more than 2 million new cases of cancer 
are diagnosed in the United States.
  The most common forms of cancer diagnosed in Americans are skin 
cancer, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, lung cancer, 
and colorectal cancers. And it is estimated that in 2009, over half a 
million Americans died from all types of cancer.
  Last year, in North Carolina, there were an estimated 42,270 new 
cases of cancer and more than 18,000 deaths due to cancer. Of those 
lost, 1,300 deaths were from breast cancer in women and 860 deaths from 
prostate cancer.

[[Page 1582]]

  Current cancer treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, 
hormone therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy; however, 
there is no cure. Many oncologists and breast cancer researchers 
believe that a cure for breast cancer will not be discovered until well 
into the future.
  However, we cannot sit idly by while we wait for a cure. Instead, we 
must continue to support organizations, health care providers, and even 
our friends who work so hard to raise awareness about cancer, 
particularly cancer prevention and early detection. Fortunately, many 
forms of cancer can be prevented altogether, such as skin cancer and 
lung cancer. In addition, at least half of all new cancer cases can be 
prevented or detected earlier by screening, and if detected early 
enough, more than 75 percent of all people could be saved when cancer 
is most treatable.
  For breast cancer, early detection has been proven to reduce 
mortality. This is encouraging, due to the fact that 1 in 8 women in 
the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
  In 2008 alone, the overall cost of cancer in the United States was 
estimated at $228.1 billion. Greater awareness and early detection of 
all cancers will not only save tens of thousands of lives, but also 
greatly reduce the financial strain on the government and private 
health care services by detecting cancer before it requires very 
expensive treatment.
  Cancer has taken an enormous toll on our society's health and 
economy. But this disease, in all its forms, is often detectible at 
early stages. By designating a month to focus on early detection for 
breast cancer and all other forms of cancer, we will address some of 
the principle challenges that inhibit screening and prolong detection. 
Enhanced awareness and screening are the keys to reducing morbidity and 
mortality from cancer and reducing the financial and emotional stress 
that this disease places on Americans.
  I want to thank Senator Richard Durbin for joining me in cosponsoring 
the Senate resolution. I also would like to thank Representative 
Etheridge for sponsoring the House companion, which passed on January 
21. I am extremely pleased that both Chambers have been supportive of 
this issue and that the Senate is adopting this concurrent resolution 
today.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid 
on the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, and any 
statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 158) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.

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