Pelosi Statement on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pelosi Statement on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Speaker was presented the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s â€Å"Wo(men) Who Get It Right” award in New York City last night:

â€Å"National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to remember loved ones lost and to recommit ourselves to advancing prevention, improving treatments, and funding research that can save women’s lives and, one day, defeat this devastating disease.

"Every year, more than 40,000 American women lose their lives to breast cancer, and that is far too many. Yet more women survive their battle with breast cancer today than was the case 10 years ago, thanks to early detection through mammograms and advances in breast cancer therapy. With the next great advancements in personalized medicine, we can ensure that every breast cancer patient receives the treatment that is tailored to her physiology and offers the best chance for success.

"I also strongly support the nationwide health tracking system to collect, analyze, and report data on the rate of diseases such as breast cancer, and the presence of relevant environmental factors and exposures.

â€Å"Breast cancer survivors today owe a debt of gratitude to the advocates and survivors who came before. They did a great service by successfully making the case for substantial investments in breast cancer research.

"As we observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we mourn the mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends who have lost their lives. In their memory, we rededicate ourselves to saving women’s lives by encouraging screening and by improving access to timely treatment. Together, we can defeat breast cancer."