SRES 179 IS

Designating October 15, 1999, as `National Mammography Day'.

September 8, 1999

Mr. BIDEN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

Designating October 15, 1999, as `National Mammography Day'.

Whereas according to the American Cancer Society, in 1999, 175,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 women will die from this disease;

Whereas in the decade of the 1990's, it is estimated that about 2,000,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in nearly 500,000 deaths;

Whereas the risk of breast cancer increases with age, with a woman at age 70 years having twice as much of a chance of developing the disease as a woman at age 50 years;

Whereas at least 80 percent of the women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease;

Whereas mammograms, when operated professionally at a certified facility, can provide a safe and quick diagnosis;

Whereas experts agree that mammography is the best method of early detection of breast cancer, and early detection is the key to saving lives;

Whereas mammograms can reveal the presence of small cancers up to 2 years or more before a regular clinical breast examination or breast self-examination, reducing mortality by more than 30 percent; and

Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is currently 97 percent: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates October 15, 1999, as `National Mammography Day'; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate programs and activities.