[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 185 Referred in House (RFH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 185


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            August 16, 1994

       Referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
    To designate October 1994 as ``National Breast Cancer Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas breast cancer will strike an estimated 182,000 women and 1,000 men in 
        the United States in 1994;
Whereas the risk of developing breast cancer increases as a woman grows older;
Whereas breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, and 
        will kill an estimated 46,000 women and 300 men in 1994;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer has risen from 78 
        percent in the 1940's to over 90 percent today;
Whereas most breast cancers are detected by the woman herself;
Whereas educating both the public and health care providers about the importance 
        of early detection will result in reducing breast cancer mortality;
Whereas appropriate use of screening mammography, in conjunction with clinical 
        examination and breast self-examination, can result in the detection of 
        many breast cancers early in their development and increase the survival 
        rate to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas data from controlled trials clearly demonstrate that deaths from breast 
        cancer are significantly reduced in women who have been screened by 
        mammography;
Whereas many women are reluctant to have screening mammograms for a variety of 
        reasons, such as the cost of testing, lack of information, or fear;
Whereas access to screening mammography is directly related to socioeconomic 
        status;
Whereas increased awareness about the importance of screening mammography will 
        result in the procedure being regularly requested by the patient and 
        recommended by the health care provider; and
Whereas it is projected that more women will use this lifesaving test as it 
        becomes increasingly available and affordable: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 1994 is 
designated as ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month'' and the 
President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling 
upon the people of the United States to observe the month with 
appropriate programs and activities.

            Passed the Senate August 12 (legislative day, August 11), 
      1994.

            Attest:

                                                MARTHA S. POPE,

                                                             Secretary.