Resolution Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month Passes House

On October 29, the House passed, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Con. Res. 230) supporting the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and recognizing the more than 2.4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Sponsored by Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), the bill’s findings include:

• every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer;
• one out of every eight women who live to the age of 85 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime; and
• the survival rate of women who have breast cancer is 98.1 percent when detected in the early stages.Rep. Brown-Waite said, “The effects of breast cancer have touched almost every American, whether through losing a loved one, as I did, or going through the pain of chemotherapy and a long recovery, as millions of individuals have done…Congress must continue to promote breast cancer awareness and support efforts to defeat this disease. My resolution expresses support for the observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is this month of October. The resolution provides a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms…Finally, this measure applauds the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about breast cancer.”

  Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said, “As an original cosponsor of this resolution, I am proud to speak out in favor of greater support for breast cancer awareness and prevention. Through my work with Congresswoman Sue Myrick [R-NC] in reauthorizing the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, I am well aware of the challenges that lie ahead in preventing and ultimately finding a cure for breast cancer. As my colleagues may know, breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 45 and 54. Many of us have witnessed a family member or a friend struggle with the devastating effects of breast cancer. We must ensure that these women do not suffer alone… I also rise to pay tribute to our friend and our colleague, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis [R-VA], who lost her life to breast cancer earlier this month. We are reminded that breast cancer can strike anyone.”