[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 _______________________________________________________________________ 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.