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October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and each year
we dedicate this month to the prevention and early detection of one of
the most common cancers among women. In 2005, it is estimated that
over 200,000 women, will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with 2,090 of
those in Arkansas.
Breast cancer does not know boundaries and affects women of all ages,
color, and ethnicities. Chances are someone very close to you has
or will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, and that is why early detection
is so important. There have been tremendous advancements in the detection
and treatment of cancer, but awareness is the best defense against this
deadly disease.
It is important to perform monthly self examinations and, if you are
a woman over the age of 40, a yearly mammogram by your doctor. I
urge you to be cognizant of your family history as you are more likely
to be at risk for the disease if your family has a history of the disease.
Knowledge is the most powerful tool in the fight against cancer.
I hope that you will take a few moments and visit www.cancer.org and www.avonwalk.org
to learn about prevention, early detection, and local resources in Arkansas
in the fight against the most common cancer among women. I strongly
encourage you to spread the word of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
to your family, friends and your community to get the message out that
early detection and diagnosis is the key to survival and winning the fight
against breast cancer.
As your Representative in Congress, I will continue to support breast
cancer research and treatment funding in Congress. I am a co-sponsor
of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act with allows the
United States Postal Service to issue special stamps to help fund breast
cancer research. I am also a co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Patient
Protection Act of 2005, which would require group health insurance coverage
to include medical and surgical benefits and radiation therapy in the treatment
of breast cancer. I remain committed to defeating breast cancer by
raising the public’s awareness and continuing to fund the research necessary
to fight this disease. |
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