October 2006

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Dear Friend,


According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Surprisingly, 1,600 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Four hundred men will die. In Hawaii, there will be an estimated 680 new female breast cancer cases diagnosed this year. Awareness and prevention are key factors in fighting this disease. If detected early, the five year survival rate exceeds 95%.

In 1991, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention began a national breast and cervical cancer detection program for low-income women diagnosed with breast cancer and unable to afford treatment. I fought hard for the passage of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Act of 2000 to provide Medicaid coverage for treatment. I've also consistently supported increased research into breast cancer, especially its environmental causes, at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

Although many risk factors may increase your chance of developing breast cancer, it is not yet known exactly what causes particular cells to become cancerous. Some factors, like a person's age or race, can't be changed. Others can be linked to carcinogens in the environment. Still others are related to personal choices, such as smoking, drinking and diet. Some factors influence risk more than others, and your risk for breast cancer can change over time due to aging or lifestyle.

Fortunately, breast cancer death rates are decreasing, most likely due to earlier detection, improved treatment and the benefits of research, education and awareness. Women can, and should, take several simple steps to continue this trend.

Breast Self-Exam: Every woman should examine her breasts once a month to check for physical changes. It is very important for women to become familiar with their breasts and understand what feels normal. Start early, beginning at age 20.

Clinical Breast Exam: Be sure to ask your health care provider to give you a clinical breast exam each year. This consists of checking the breasts for any changes, lumps, or other possible warning signs of breast cancer through physical touch and appearance. You should begin having clinical breast exams in your 20s and 30s.

Mammography: Beginning at age 40, all women should have an annual mammogram, an "x-ray" of the breast and the most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. It is a good idea to have a baseline mammogram at age 35.

Some other common sense prevention tips include a low fat diet, regular exercise and not smoking. And if you suspect you are at high risk for the disease, talk to your health care provider.

We can all do our part in further reducing the incidence of breast cancer by knowing our risks, getting screened and talking with our family and friends about prevention.

Aloha,

Neil Abercrombie

Member of Congress

 

 

Breast Cancer Legislation Supported by Congressman Neil Abercrombie:

 
The Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act (P.L. 109-100)

Since 1998, when the Breast Cancer Research Stamp was first introduced, over $50 million has been raised for breast cancer research from the sale of stamps. The stamp was set to expire in December 2005, but we extended the life of the stamp so many more important research projects can be funded.

 

 

 

 
The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005 (H.R. 1849)

This would guarantee a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours for a woman undergoing a mastectomy, and 24 hours for a woman undergoing a lymph node removal. This bill would ensure that any decision for a shorter hospital stay would be made by the patient and her doctor. House leadership has not allowed this bill to be heard in committee or to be voted on by the House.

 

 

 

 
The Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 2231)

Unfortunately, the causes of breast cancer are largely unknown, and we do not know how to prevent or cure it. It is generally believed that the environment plays a role in the development of breast cancer, but the extent of that role is not understood. While there have been isolated studies on potential environmental links to breast cancer, no longer-term, comprehensive studies have taken place. This bill encourages more research to better understand the impact of the environment on breast cancer. This bill has also been locked up in committee by House leadership.

 

If these two pieces of legislation, H.R. 1849 and H.R. 2231 do not pass before the end of this session, be assured they will be reintroduced at the beginning of the next session in January. We are going to do everything we can to finally defeat breast cancer.

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