Barbara Mikulski: “I want to conclude the debate on this side by reaffirming that this resolution does not meddle with the National…”

“I want to conclude the debate on this side by reaffirming that this resolution does not meddle with the National Institutes of Health. It does not meddle with science. It essentially says let us have more research on the subject of breast cancer in terms of its cause, in terms of its prevention, and in terms of its cures. It also calls for the women of America and their physicians to follow those guidelines that are recommended by every physician group as well as the American Cancer Society on urging women in the age 40 to 49 group to have either an annual or biannual mammogram. Third, it asks the National Cancer Institute to repromulgate its own guidelines urging the same. I would like to comment that this advisory panel that made this report in January is not made up of NIH scientists. This is an outside advisory group to the National Institutes of Health. Mr. President, I have the honor of representing the National Institutes of Health because it is in my State. How wonderful to be able to represent a Government organization devoted to saving lives by finding cures and causes for the diseases that threaten Americans and others around the world. The National Cancer Institute has taken specific steps to be far more sensitive and to have a budget priority looking at those gender-specific diseases, particularly breast cancer and ovarian cancer. And we are pleased also with the work that is now being done in the area of prostate cancer as well.…”