Men, women and children across the United States of all ages, races and political parties are uniting this month behind a common cause:  breast cancer awareness.  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organized to increase awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection.  People across the United States and in Arkansas are coming together in hopes of finding a cure.  In fact, over 45,000 people just gathered in Little Rock on Oct. 11 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and raised well over $2 million.

It is an unfortunate, well-known fact that cancer has no boundaries.  Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, and is the second most common cause of cancer death in women.  The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, 1,790 women in Arkansas will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die of the disease.

These statistics are frustrating.  We are losing too many of our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters to this disease. It is frustrating because we know a woman’s best chance for survival is early detection through regular screening mammograms, yet we still have no cure.  I believe the more we can learn about this terrible disease, the closer we can come to finding a cure once and for all.

For these reasons, I cosponsored and helped pass in the House the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2007, which President Bush signed into law on Oct. 8.  This bill requires that the government make grants available to public or nonprofit private entities to conduct research on environmental factors related to the causes of breast cancer.

I also believe that we must help provide access to health care for women bravely fighting this disease.  As a member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I cosponsored and helped pass the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007 that requires health insurers to provide medical and surgical benefits to ensure that inpatient coverage and radiation therapy are provided for breast cancer treatment.  The bill is now being considered by the Senate.

This month, I invite you participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities and attend local events in your area designed to help spread the word and fund the fight against breast cancer.

Sincerely,

 
Mike Ross

Congressman Mike Ross frequently hosts Town Hall Meetings throughout the Fourth Congressional District to update local residents on his work in Washington on behalf of the people of Arkansas.  Mike's Town Hall Meetings are open to the public.  Please join him when he will be in:

Fordyce:  Tuesday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Fordyce City Hall, 101 South Main Street, Fordyce, Ark.

Hampton:  Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Calhoun County Courthouse, 309 West Main Street, Hampton, Ark.

Mike receives the 2008 Statesmanship Award from the Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA) during the group's annual awards banquet on Oct. 9 in Little Rock. Pictured (L-R) are: AHA Board Chair Ray Montgomery, Rep. Mike Ross and AHA Board members Phil Matthews and Beau Ryall. AHA presents the award each year to a legislator or member of Congress who has worked diligently on healthcare issues and therefore deserves special recognition.