[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1] [House] [Pages 694-696] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1011) recognizing the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1011 Whereas approximately 11,270 women were diagnosed with, and approximately 4,070 women died from cervical cancer in the United States in 2009; Whereas cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women, at a rate that is more than twice what is seen in non- Hispanic White women; Whereas African-American women develop cervical cancer about 50 percent more often than non-Hispanic White women; Whereas half of the women diagnosed with the disease are between 35 and 55 years of age, and approximately 20 percent of diagnoses are made in women older than 65; Whereas cervical cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms, and is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), but can be detected by Papanicolaou tests (Pap tests) or other early detection tests; Whereas the earlier cervical cancer is detected the better chance a woman has of surviving cervical cancer; Whereas cervical cancer patients and survivors have shown tremendous courage and determination in the face of adversity: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month; (2) recognizes the importance of good cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages; [[Page 695]] (3) urges healthcare advocates to continue to raise public awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection; (4) urges the people of the United States to learn about cervical cancer and its causes, most notably human papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of early detection; and (5) recognizes the patients and survivors of cervical cancer and their families for their tremendous courage and determination. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey. General Leave Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey? There was no objection. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 1011, supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, over 11,000 American women will receive the news that they have cervical cancer this year, and over 4,000 women will die due to this disease. The earlier cervical cancer is detected, the better chance a woman has of surviving. Cellular changes that precede cervical cancer can be detected by Pap tests or other early detection methods. With early detection, women can get treatment that prevents the disease from progressing to a later stage. As a result of the increase in prevention, we are beginning to see a decrease in the number of women who get and die from cervical cancer. But we still have more work to do, especially in the minority populations. African American women and Hispanic women, for example, are 50 percent more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women and are also more likely to die from the disease. And that is why this resolution, Madam Speaker, before us today is so important. We must increase awareness of cervical cancer and promote testing to ensure early detection so that we can further reduce the numbers of women who succumb to cervical cancer every year. The resolution before us today supports the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month. It acknowledges the importance of early detection as a crucial tool in treating and surviving the disease, and supports heightened awareness about prevention of cervical cancer. I want to thank my colleague, the sponsor of the legislation, Representative Debbie Halvorson from Illinois, for her work in raising this important issue. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee for bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. And I am a cosponsor of H. Res. 1011, sponsored by Representative Deborah Halvorson from the State of Illinois. This month, January, is national Cervical Health Awareness Month, and it is important, it is fitting that we highlight the educational efforts that have been made to increase early detection of cervical cancer. Almost half of the women that are diagnosed with this life- threatening disease are between the ages of 35 and 55. They actually fall into two populations. In one population, the disease is relatively slow to evolve. Obviously, in this group, the detection of precancerous and pre-invasive changes allows for treatment of this disease to be relatively straightforward. But there is a second population, fortunately a much smaller population, where the disease behaves with sometimes frightening speed. The disease can be so aggressive as to go from a normal test to an actual invasive cancer within a year's time, and it is this group of individuals where these tests may, in fact, be life-saving. That is why it is so important that we highlight the awareness of cervical health. The month of January is more than half over. But the need for cervical cancer awareness and education should continue throughout the entire year. Awareness is the leading cause in the annual decline in deaths from cervical disease. The survival rate of individuals who have cervical cancer is 96 to 99 percent when detected in the early stages versus only a 15 to 20 percent survival rate when cervical cancer is diagnosed after it has spread beyond the confines of the cervix. It is because of successful programs that encourage early diagnosis, such as national Cervical Health Awareness Month, that Americans can lead full and active lives. By supporting the observance of national Cervical Health Awareness Month, we have the opportunity to encourage women to educate themselves about this disease and about the screening methods that are available to them. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1500 Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson), who is the sponsor of the legislation. Mrs. HALVORSON. I want to thank Congressman Pallone. I would also like to thank my colleagues for recognizing me on behalf of this very important and timely resolution. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1011, commemorating the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage. January has long been recognized as Cervical Health Awareness Month, particularly throughout the public health, women's health, and cervical health advocacy communities. Today we commemorate the hard work and sacrifice that has been made by these patients, their families, and those who have been confronted by this disease. We also honor the health care providers and advocates that tirelessly work to treat this disease and work to educate the general public on its causes and treatments. Madam Speaker, cervical cancer is usually a very slow-growing cancer that may not present any symptoms. And it is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV, but can be detected by early detection tests. It is estimated that 4,000 women in the United States die of cervical cancer every year, and approximately 11,000 new cases will be detected just this year. Half of those women diagnosed with the disease are, as has been said, between 35 and 55 years of age. And approximately 20 percent of all those diagnoses are made in women who are older than 55 years of age. In the vast majority of cases, these deaths could be prevented with early detection, and by being educated and aware of causes, screenings, and medical treatments. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, and yet it was the number one cause of death from cancer in women. But for the first time in history, we have the potential for significantly reducing, if not eliminating, the number of victims of this cancer through advancements in treatments and procedures that aid in prevention. So in keeping with the goals and the ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, I encourage the people of the United States to learn about cervical cancer, its causes and its treatments, and I encourage health care advocates to continue to raise public awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection, because the earlier cervical cancer is detected, the better the chance a woman has in surviving cervical cancer. Once again, I would like to thank you all for allowing H. Res. 1011 to come to the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of its passage. Mr. BURGESS. As a fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and [[Page 696]] Gynecologists before I came to Congress, I recognize the importance of Cervical Health Awareness Month. And yes, while we are focusing on testing today, the gentlelady is quite correct in that newer tests, newer methods, newer abilities to prevent this disease from happening are occurring even as we speak. Certainly to the health care community out there that has done such a great job at providing information to their patients, providing early detection and treatment to their patients, we owe a debt of gratitude. The work is not yet done, and I again encourage passage of this legislation. Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1011, to recognize the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, introduced by my distinguish colleague Representative Deborah L. Halvorson, from Illinois. This legislation will solidify that we, the United States Congress: (1) support all the initiatives of Cervical Health Awareness Month; (2) Recognize the importance of earlier detection; and (3) advocate and encourage education on the subject. Madam Speaker, the origin of Cervical Health Awareness Month was established to enhance awareness of the prevention of cervical cancer, particularly the importance of screening for this malignancy. It is my hope that Congress continues to support these current and future efforts to make our constituents more knowledgeable. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in 2009, an estimated 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the U.S., and the disease caused over 4,000 deaths. The Pap test is a highly effective tool in detecting cervical cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. In fact, regular cervical screening tests can actually find precancerous changes before they become dangerous and turn into cancer. I support any enterprise which cultivates organized successful health promotion events and campaigns. Getting new ideas, information and resources on Cervical Cancer and the prevention of it, is something that this Congress must emphasize. By passing this resolution, we are making a monumental statement that we care. We care about the patients and survivors of this cancer; we care about the families of the ones who were taken by this disease; and most of all we care about the life and life more abundantly. By passing this legislation, we are also reaffirming that Congress is not an ambiguous body of unsympathetic individuals with no grasp of the world outside these walls. We have families; we have mothers, daughters and sisters, that can be affected by this cancer and we will not stand for lives perishing because of a lack of knowledge and available prevention and treatment! Mr. BURGESS. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1011. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________