Political Quotes

“today, I introduce the Prostate Testing Full Information Act. In a series of town meetings in my State of California, I brought together the top prostate cancer experts in the State, the head of the urology branch at the National Cancer Institute, and prostate cancer survivors to discuss what can be done to aid in the fight against this disease. The statistics on prostate cancer are alarming. Based on current U.S. rates, about 19 of every 100 men born today will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, while approximately 4 of every 100 men will die from the disease. Between 1973 and 1993, the rate of new cases of prostate cancer rose by 173 percent. During 1997, approximately 370,000 new cases will be diagnosed and more than 40,000 men will die of prostate cancer. This bill will require physicians, at the time they perform a prostate examination on men over the age of 50, to inform the patient of the availability of the prostate specific antigen [PSA] test and other appropriate diagnostic procedures. In addition, the bill increases prostate cancer research funding at the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.”