Pelosi Statement on the 25th Anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month;

Pelosi Statement on the 25th Anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today in recognition of the 25th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October:

â€Å"National Breast Cancer Awareness Month offers us a moment to remember those lost, honor those who survived, and reiterate our commitment to finding a cure. For 25 years, this month has marked great strides in outreach, prevention, detection, and treatment. Yet it has also reminded us of the work still to be done, the research still to be completed, and the fight ahead to defeat this devastating disease.

â€Å"This year, more than 40,000 women will lose their lives to breast cancer - far too many in a nation blessed with the latest technologies and most advanced treatments worldwide. However, with more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today, we know that early detection, prevention services, mammograms, and new therapies can help decrease the number of cases and beat back this disease.

â€Å"America's scientists and innovators are working day and night to pave a path toward a cure and improve treatment outcomes. Congress will continue to provide the resources necessary to ensure the federal government is a strong partner in their efforts. The Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Program and the National Cancer Institute are focused on eradicating breast cancer and inspiring the scientific community to explore new avenues in breast cancer research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides low-income, uninsured, and underserved women access to timely cancer screening services.

â€Å"We all owe a debt of gratitude to the army of activists and survivors who have advocated for these investments and offered a lifeline to future generations of women confronting this disease. I am proud to stand by their side today, and Congress will work with President Obama to expand funding for cancer research. Working together, we can - and we will - win the battle against breast cancer.â€