Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF GYNECOLOGIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2006)
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Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 473, supporting the goals and ideals of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and particularly the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.
This marks the 15th anniversary in 2006 of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. It is that foundation that has such a long and proud history of serving women in America through educational programs and to provide up-to-date information on the prevention and early detection and treatment of these reproductive cancers, cancers that will affect over 77,000 American women this year alone.
It was in 1999 that September was first declared Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and each September since then the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation has embarked on an intensive education program to reach women with an important message:
First, get to know your family history. Second, conduct a cancer-risk assessment. Third, ask questions, educate yourself about these deadly cancers. Last, make an appointment for an annual gynecologic cancer screening test.
Mr. Speaker, every 7 minutes a woman is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. In 2006, over 77,000 women will be diagnosed with gynecologic cancer; and, unfortunately, over 27,000 women will die, many of them because they didn't have early diagnosis. Too many women are dying because of the lack of early diagnosis. Education and early detection are the keys to saving women's lives and reducing this terrible statistic. If diagnosed in the early stages, the 5-year survival rates for these cancers are over 95 percent.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important awareness program. We have done a wonderful job throughout the years as Americans in shedding light on other deadly diseases, including breast cancer; but this remains a silent killer.
I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland), I thank the Speaker of the House, and urge passage of this bill.
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