A resolution supporting early detection for breast cancer.

Declares that the Senate: (1) remains committed to ensuring access to lifesaving breast cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, particularly for medically underserved women, and to discovering and delivering cures for breast cancer and encouraging the development of screening tools that are more accurate and less costly; and (2) supports increasing awareness and improving education about breast cancer, the importance of early detection, and the availability of screening services for women in need.

[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 144 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 144

             Supporting early detection for breast cancer.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 13, 2011

 Mrs. Hutchison submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
       to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
             Supporting early detection for breast cancer.

Whereas the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer has increased from 
        74 percent in 1979 to 90 percent in 2011;
Whereas when breast cancer is detected early and confined to the breast, the 5-
        year relative survival rate is 98 percent;
Whereas the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program 
        (referred to in this preamble as the ``NBCCEDP'') was established by the 
        Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        300k et seq.) to provide early detection services for low-income women 
        who are uninsured or underinsured and do not qualify for Medicaid;
Whereas the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 
        (Public Law 106-354; 114 Stat. 1381) allows for breast cancer treatment 
        assistance to be provided through Medicaid to eligible women who were 
        screened through the NBCCEDP;
Whereas NBCCEDP and the provisions of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention 
        and Treatment Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-354; 114 Stat. 1381) have 
        effectively reduced mortality among low-income uninsured and medically 
        underserved women with breast cancer;
Whereas early detection of breast cancer increases survival rates for the 
        disease, as evidenced by a 5-year relative survival rate of 98 percent 
        for breast cancers that are discovered before the cancer spreads beyond 
        the breast, compared to 23 percent for stage IV breast cancers;
Whereas the cost of treating stage IV breast cancers is more than 5 times more 
        expensive than the cost of treating stage I breast cancers;
Whereas as of the date of agreement to this resolution, the economy has placed a 
        strain on State budgets while increasing the demand for safety-net 
        services;
Whereas significant disparities in breast cancer outcomes persist across racial 
        and ethnic groups;
Whereas breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading 
        cause of cancer death among women worldwide;
Whereas in 2011, more than 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast 
        cancer and more than 40,000 will die of breast cancer in the United 
        States;
Whereas every woman should have access to life-saving screening and treatment 
        that is not dependent on where she lives;
Whereas investments in cancer research have improved the understanding of the 
        different types of breast cancer and led to more effective, personalized 
        treatments; and
Whereas organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure empower women with 
        knowledge and awareness, ensure access to quality care, and energize 
        science to discover and deliver cures for breast cancer: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) remains committed to ensuring access to life-saving 
        breast cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, 
        particularly for medically underserved women;
            (2) supports increasing awareness and improving education 
        about breast cancer, the importance of early detection, and the 
        availability of screening services for women in need; and
            (3) remains committed to discovering and delivering cures 
        for breast cancer and encouraging the development of screening 
        tools that are more accurate and less costly.
                                 <all>