Bass: We Can Work Together to End Breast Cancer PDF Print
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Joins colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation to streamline and focus research

October 11, 2011

CONCORD, NH – At a press conference in Concord this morning, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) announced his support for critical legislation in the House of Representatives that will help to identify scientific advances to prevent breast cancer and streamline research to avoid duplication. Bass joined with Rep. Karen Bass (CA-33) and five other Members of Congress to introduce the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act (H.R. 3067) last week.

Bass was joined this morning by Nancy Ryan, the President of the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition and National Breast Cancer Coalition Field Coordinator.

Bass said, "Millions of American families are affected by breast cancer every year, including my own. Despite the significant improvements that have been made in better understanding the disease, we are still a long way off in finding a cure. That's why I'm proud to be a part of legislation that will identify underdeveloped areas of innovative breast cancer research and ensure federal programs and private foundations are funding the most promising scientific projects."

Specifically, Bass' bipartisan legislation would create a temporary commission to focus on the general prevention of breast cancer and prevent it from reaching metastasis, which is responsible for 90 percent of breast cancer deaths.

The commission would:

• be comprised of 10 members from the public and private sector in the fields of biomedical research, business, breast cancer advocacy, and other related fields;

• be required to submit annual reports to Congress, the Administration, and the public on its findings, with the provision that if no progress has been made in three years, the commission will be terminated;

• be tasked with identifying breakthrough scientific advances in research not currently being examined;

• find ways to streamline current research to avoid duplication of efforts;

• and create a pipeline through which the projects identified as the most promising receive existing federal and private funds;

The legislation does not authorize any federal funding and sunsets the commission in 2020.

"Congressman Bass has taken a strong leadership role in helping us end breast cancer. I thank him for being a lead sponsor of the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act," stated Nancy Ryan, President of the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition. "I look forward to working with Congressman Bass to pass this bill and bring us closer to ending breast cancer."

Bass continued, "We all know the startling statistics: one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. By ensuring we target limited research dollars on the most promising projects, we will be that much closer to finding a cure and ending this disease once and for all."

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