Hatch: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

HATCH: OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) today released the following statement to encourage Utahns to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

October 2005 marks the 21st year of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign that provides a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. National Breast Cancer Awareness month also salutes the more than 2,000,000 breast cancer survivors in the United States and the efforts of victims, volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer each day.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40 and 55; and one out of every eight women who live to the age of 85 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Furthermore, in 2005, approximately 1,690 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States. Approximately 460 men in the U.S. will die from the disease. The survival rate of women who have breast cancer is 96 percent when detected in the early stages; and mammograms and monthly breast self-examinations are essential for early detection. Education and awareness campaigns such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month are invaluable steps in broadcasting the important association between early detection and survival.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates have been dropping steadily since 1991; however, challenges still remain. Many poor and uninsured women don't have access to affordable mammograms. Others don't get mammograms on schedule -- needed to detect cancer at an early, treatable stage. The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, and throughout the month, women are encouraged to make a mammography appointment. This year, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 21.

I recognize and commend the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about breast cancer, providing information, and offering treatment to its sufferers; and I urge organizations and health practitioners to use National Breast Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to promote awareness about breast cancer, to support monthly self-examinations, and to encourage annual mammograms.

http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1455&Month=10&Year=2005