Q: What is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
A: This October marks the 22nd observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote breast cancer awareness, provide information and stress the importance of early detection of this deadly disease. Today, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. More than 175,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. For me, the fight against breast cancer hits close to home. My wife Barbara was diagnosed with this disease 20 years ago this year. She is a lucky survivor and early detection played a big part. She continues to help fight the disease by getting the word out about the importance of early detection and annual exams, and I’ve joined her in this battle. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to remember those who’ve fallen victim to breast cancer and renew efforts to get out the important message about early detection and annual exams.
Q: What is being done in Congress to Support Breast Cancer Research?
A: A lot of progress has been made since President Nixon declared war on cancer more than 30 years ago. Congress supports funding for the National Institutes of Health to help accelerate the pace of research and improve our ability to find new ways to care for those whose lives are touched by this disease and others. In addition, Congress passed a law in 2000 that I sponsored to allow lower-income, uninsured women who were not Medicaid eligible to get breast cancer treatment through Medicaid. Before the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act was enacted, the federal government had provided free breast and cervical cancer screening, but not treatment, to lower-income women without health insurance. Cancer is an equal opportunity disease that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of socio-economic status. Looking ahead, I’ll continue my efforts to raise awareness, provide research funding and lend both public and private support to the courage and fortitude of everybody fighting breast cancer.