Madeleine Bordallo: “I am to cover cancer, and today is a very sad day for the House of Representatives. We have lost a dear colleague to…”

“I am to cover cancer, and today is a very sad day for the House of Representatives. We have lost a dear colleague to cancer, and this is the second cancer-related passing this year in the House of Representatives. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States and accounts for one out of every four deaths. Unfortunately, health disparities in cancer continue to persist. Minority groups face unique problems and concerns about cancer, including higher rates of developing some cancers and barriers to early detection. In 2001, the National Cancer Institute formed the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. In 2005, the center launched a new program to reduce cancer deaths among minority and underserved populations through $95 million in grants that funded community-based projects in geographically and culturally diverse areas of our country. Dr. Harold Freeman, a leader in reducing cancer health disparities, and former surgeon at Harlem Hospital, said that cancer disparities are attributable to three interacting factors: first, low socioeconomic status; second, culture; and third, social injustice.”