Media Center

This October, we acknowledge, celebrate and honor the thousands of women throughout the country who have been diagnosed, currently fighting or have survived breast cancer. As the husband of a courageous wife who survived this disease, I, as many others, have been affected personally. I understand the struggle, pain and sometimes heartache it can inflict on the person diagnosed, in addition to family and friends. I believe we all have been affected by breast cancer in some way, whether it is a spouse, daughter, mother or grandmother. Breast cancer really affects us all.

I whole heartedly support additional funding for breast cancer research, screening and treatment programs. Too many women go undiagnosed until it is too late. We must further provide additional education and prevention programs to those women who slip through the cracks, especially those in low-income communities, as a lot of these women lack the health insurance coverage necessary for annual mammograms. We could also save millions of tax dollars if we could detect this disease sooner. The best way of surviving this devastating disease is early detection and programs which ensure the mammogram is fairly inexpensive and which will encourage more women to be tested.

I have recently joined with my fellow colleagues in signing a letter to the House Defense Appropriations Conferees urging them to recede to the Senate language that funds the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program at $150 million for the Fiscal Year 2008. This important program was created 15 years ago and has proven to be highly successful and has become one of the most far-reaching and influential research initiatives in the country. I believe any research program that serves as a model internationally and has actually made critical breakthroughs resulting from its research is a wise taxpayer investment; a small investment which yields big results.

I have long been a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness and research. As a Georgia State Senator, I authored the Breast Cancer Patient Protection law which gives breast cancer patients and their physicians the right to determine their length of stay in the hospital and their level of medical treatment. Currently, the Breast Cancer patient Protection Act, has vast bipartisan support and would require health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer. With my support, I am hopeful this legislation will move forward during the 110th Congress. In cosponsoring numerous pieces of legislation in my years in Congress, I will continue to fight for additional provisions in the law and funding for programs which will help the thousands of women diagnosed each year.

The statistics can be telling. Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40 and 55. In fact, 1 out of every 98 women who live to the age of 85 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Unfortunately, all women are at risk for breast cancer. About 90 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer is further the most common cancer among African American women. It is true older women are more likely to develop breast cancer than younger women. However, younger women are still at risk for the disease and currently, 250,000 women under the age of 40 have breast cancer. Simply put, the disease can strike from an early to older age and additional research and awareness to this fact is of utmost importance. Mammograms may be necessary earlier than was once thought and only additional research monies will help us determine if this is the case. As a father of two young women, raising awareness and developing more effective screening and diagnostic tools for this age group is vital to affording them the same chances of survival.

We must also pay close attention to research being conducted with regards to the environment and how it may affect the incidence of this disease. As a cosponsor of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act, I believe authorizing grants for the development and operation of research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer could yield miraculous results. There may very well be parallels between the environment and this devastating disease and any findings could help derive new treatments and help thousands survive.

I urge all Georgians to take measures to protect and keep their health. I encourage you and your friends and family to be aware of measures you can take to improve your health and further prevent the incidence of this disease. My goal in representing the 13th District of Georgia has always been to be responsive to your concerns and ensure the thoughts and views of all Georgians are heard in Congress. As a member of Congress, it is my duty to help bring attention to issues my constituents deem significant, and breast cancer is one such issue. I join with countless others this month to honor the inspiring strength of breast cancer patients and the dedication of health professionals who care for them. Our inspiration is great: breast cancer survivors who have won their fight, and the friends and families of those women who unfortunately did not. Almost everyone in America has been touched by this disease, and I believe we can work together to ensure in years to come, the incidence is lowered and we indeed find a cure. Again, I applaud the brave individuals fighting this disease and the medical professionals and organizations who so intently dedicate their time to the cause. God bless.