National Breast And Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007

Floor Speech

NATIONAL BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - March 27, 2007)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1132.

Today in our country, millions of families are faced with the agonizing emotional and financial stress caused by a loved one who has cancer. In fact, every year cancer claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, making it our country's second leading cause of death. The financial costs of cancer on our society are also enormous, and it has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that, in 2006 alone, the cost of cancer was an astonishing $206 billion dollars. This Congress must do more to accelerate the pace of cancer research, and to help alleviate the immense suffering of so many of our citizens.

This bill is a small step that could have a significant impact on the lives of many women across our country. Every year, too many women fail to receive crucial preventative screenings because they do not have the means to see a doctor. Along with a good knowledge of their family's medical history, these screenings are the best indicators by which many women can determine whether they are at risk for common cancers. By providing easy access to these screenings, this bill would allow women to determine whether they are at risk for cancer, allow them to detect any problems early, and prevent any cancer from spreading, if it has already developed.

We already know that prevention is a key factor to stopping the spread of cancer. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize this reality and support this legislation because it would provide a crucial tool by which many women across our country could take control over their health and prevent the spread of cancer.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source