Statement on Resolution Supporting the Designation of October 13 as National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) delivered the following statement in support of her legislation H.Res. 787 that was passed by the House today, expressing support for the designation of October 13 as National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

I thank my colleague Congressman LoBiondo for co-sponsoring this resolution.

Following the lead of eight states across the nation – Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, and my home state of Connecticut – this resolution expresses support for designating October 13, 2009 as National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

Right now in America, 155,000 women and men around the country are living with metastatic, or Stage IV, breast cancer. This means that cancer cells have traveled from the breast to other areas in the body, such as the liver, lungs, bones, or brain, and are now growing there. There is no cure for breast cancer once it has metastasized, and most of today's current medical treatments are focused only on extending the best quality of life for the patient.

Breast cancer is the second leading type of cancer among women. This year alone, 192, 370 women and 1910 men in the US will be diagnosed with the disease, and 62,280 women will die from it. Thirty percent of the woman diagnosed with earlier stages of the illness will eventually suffer from metastatic breast cancer.

And the later it is diagnosed, the more likely the cancer has or will metastasize. Missed opportunities at early detection are a major reason why women in developing countries, as well as our most vulnerable citizens right here in the US, are more likely diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Without adequate access to preventive medical care, the health of the poor here and around the world is already at extreme risk.

For all of these reasons and more, we believe that Congress should support this resolution and get behind a National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13. Not only will such a day help emphasize the urgent need for new, targeted breast cancer treatments for Stage IV cancer patients, it will raise awareness and save lives.

I am a cancer survivor, of ovarian cancer and was fortunate enough to have been diagnosed at Stage 1. If it had not been caught so early by my doctor – if the cancer had metastasized – there is a very good chance I would not be standing here today. Awareness of metastatic cancers is necessary, so that women and men will know to get the timely mammograms and cancer screenings that might just save their lives.

And even as doctors and scientists search for a cure for metastatic breast cancer, it is up to us as Members of Congress to help make treatment affordable for women in need and pass comprehensive health insurance reform – now, not later. Too many women with breast cancer today are forced to make decisions based on their finances and not on what is best for their health. All too often, as they bravely battle their illness, they must also fight high out-of-pocket costs and denied claims. And if they become too sick to work, they must face the terrifying prospect of losing their coverage altogether. While today we express our support for a National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, I hope very soon in the future we will reaffirm our commitment to breast cancer patients by passing meaningful health insurance reform.

Today's resolution has the support of several key organizations, including Living Beyond Breast Cancer, BreastCancer.org, The Wellness Community, Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly Y-ME), and the Young Survivor Coalition.

Drawing attention to this disease helps medical researchers find ways to provide a higher quality of life and longer life expectancy for patients, helps make Stage IV cancer a chronic, but not fatal disease, and encourages the women and men we love to stay aware of metastatic breast cancer, and protect themselves through regular check-ups and screenings.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.