Darrell Issa: “I offer my amendment no behalf of the thousands of women fighting a fierce battle against gyneocologic cancers. I would…”

“I offer my amendment no behalf of the thousands of women fighting a fierce battle against gyneocologic cancers. I would like to first thank Chairman Lewis and Chairman Regula for giving me the opportunity to speak on a topic that is not only a legislative priority, but a personnel commitment. My amendment would simply redirect $5 million within the HHS budget to the Office of Women's Health to coordinate a national education campaign to educate the public on gynecologic cancers. Every 7 minutes a woman is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. In 2005, over 82,000 will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and over 27,000 women will die. The most common gynecologic cancers include ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers. Too many women are dying because they were diagnosed too late. Education and early detection are the keys to saving women's lives and reducing these statistics. If diagnosed in the early stages, the 5 year survivability rates are as high as 95 percent. Gynecologic cancers, when detected early, can often be prevented from becoming fatal. Since all women are at risk--no matter their ethnic background or socioeconomic status--it is critical that we find a way to inform women about the steps they can take to maintain their health. Due to the private and intimate nature of these cancers, oftentimes women are uncomfortable discussing issues surrounding gynecologic cancers with friends and family.…”