Cao Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Statement

Mr / Madam Speaker,

I stand here today to support this very important legislation to bring awareness to breast cancer. For many women in my district and all over the United States, breast cancer is a life-threatening disease. It is imperative that we as a nation do all we can to work towards a cure.

The national statistics for breast cancer rates are intimidating. It is the leading cause of death in women ages 15 to 54. Thus, very few families are left untouched by the pain and suffering it causes.

However, thanks to the efforts of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other breast cancer awareness groups, breast cancer has the highest survival rate of any cancer that afflicts Americans.

In fact, there are 2.5 million survivors that owe their lives to these efforts and to the power of early detection.

My home district, the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana, has the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any district in the United States and, unfortunately, one of the lowest early detection rates.

Thanks to recent medical developments, early detection means more treatment options and higher success rates. It literally saves lives.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to stress the importance of having regular screenings to guarantee early detection and improve women's chances for survival.

I would also like to acknowledge a woman from Louisiana who is currently struggling with breast cancer, Mrs. Tara Stoulig Monistere.

Mrs. Monistere is a 34-year-old wife and mother who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer shortly after the birth of her daughter.

Mrs. Monistere's situation is unusually difficult in that breast cancer rarely strikes young women and new mothers with such intensity. Every aspect of her life is compounded with greater stress levels and hardships as a result of this disease.

However, she remains an active member of her community, maintains close relationships with family members, and fights her disease with great faith, bravery, and determination.

Mrs. Monistere's personal struggle with breast cancer is one of countless other examples that prove that this disease is much too common for women of all ages.

Breast cancer attacks a new victim every 2 minutes, and an estimated 3 million women are living with it in the United States today.

I urge all women in my district and throughout the country to get tested regularly. Through continued awareness and preemptive action, we will proactively fight this disease and save more lives.

Thank you.

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