Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor this evening in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Below are her remarks as delivered.

“As we begin Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am honored to stand here with my colleagues and recognize those women we know who have battled cancer.  First, let me thank Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her leadership on this issue.  Her personal courage and subsequent push for education and early detection are both inspiring and encouraging.

“Unfortunately, everyone has a story, one of their own experiences or those of a friend or family member, who has battled cancer.  Each year, we lose mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends to breast cancer.  In Nevada, an estimated 1,270 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed among women in 2008, and 430 of those women died of the disease.  This is a tragedy.  And what makes it even more tragic is that many of those deaths could be prevented if women knew the risk factors and if researchers had what they needed to make breakthroughs in understanding and curing cancer. 

“I believe we must empower every woman with the tools they need to fight this deadly disease.  Women should have access to the latest health information, undergo frequent health screenings, and receive preventive health care.  Sadly, Nevada has one of the lowest mammogram screening rates nationally.  Recent estimates are that only 54 percent of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram in the past year.  Nevada is currently ranked 48th in the nation for percentage of women ages 40 to 69 who obtain mammograms annually.  This is just unacceptable.

“And unfortunately, too many younger women think that breast cancer is something that happens to older women, yet it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women under the age of 40.  So we must redouble our efforts to reach out to young women to increase awareness of the threats and the warning signs that lead to early diagnoses.  That is why I am proud to also be a cosponsor of the EARLY Act.

“And too often, women who have undergone a difficult surgery, both emotionally and physically, find themselves forced by their insurance companies to leave the hospital before they are ready.  This too is unacceptable.  Women must have the adequate support after breast cancer surgery that they need to get them on the road to recovery. 

“Indeed, we have all been touched by cancer.  It can be a devastating disease, and those who have fought and those who are fighting it demonstrate a remarkable strength every day.  They teach us all the lessons of life, and living, and the importance of friends and family.  I believe they are true heroes who are role model for us when it comes to strength and courage.

“While breast cancer has affected too many women in Nevada and across the country, there is also an enduring hope that we join together to search for a cure.  Between the strength and determination of breast cancer survivors, and the generosity of spirit of volunteers, I am optimistic we can defeat breast cancer if we stand together in this fight.”

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Tags: health care