Linda Sánchez Statement on Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Oct 7 2011)
Washington, DC – In continuing her work to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention,Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) entered a statement for the Congressional Record to recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Below is a copy of the statement:
Statement for the Congressional Record
Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Rep. Linda T. Sánchez
October 6, 2011
Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, I want to stress the importance of regular mammograms and following recommended screening guidelines.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer in women worldwide. Every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. alone. Every thirteen minutes, a woman dies of breast cancer. While these statistics are shocking, there is hope.
The 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today have shown that early detection and timely treatment are the keys to fighting the disease. The five-year survival rate for women who are diagnosed at the early stage of the disease's development has risen to 98 percent. It is undeniable that early detection saves lives.
Unfortunately, despite what we already know, the number of women receiving regular mammograms has declined in the past ten years. A recent study discovered that fewer than 50 percent of women over the age of 40 with health insurance had received a recommended annual mammogram. This must change.
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to encourage women to follow the recommended screening guidelines. I hope this message reaches every woman, and together we can commit to ending breast cancer forever.
###