VINCENT SNOWBARGER: “I have come to the floor to focus our Nation's attention on a disease that afflicts one in every 8 women and affects…”

“I have come to the floor to focus our Nation's attention on a disease that afflicts one in every 8 women and affects everyone's lives. Each year, more than 46,000 women lose their lives in a fight against breast cancer and it is this fact I find most distressing, because in many cases, early detection could have prevented the losses of life. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 9 out of every 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive. A major component in achieving this success rate is educating women to regularly conduct breast self-examinations. Again, early detection of breast cancer can prevent the loss of life. In Kansas City, women are benefiting from the works of Florein Leiberman, who founded the Breast Exam Self Testing Program, known as the BEST Program. BEST is sponsored by Menorah Medical Center and is supported by 35 physicians who volunteer their time and expertise to provide a free clinic visit to help educate women on proper breast self-examination techniques. Since 1985, more than 3,500 women have benefited from this program. In addition, BEST is working with local junior and senior high schools to help educate young women on ways to work on this disease.”