U.S. Senator David Vitter

The facts can be discouraging. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Louisiana has a higher than average mortality rate for breast cancer and the second lowest mammography screening utilization in the nation.

But there is great hope--early detection saves lives! When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 96 percent. This is good news! More than two million breast cancer survivors are alive in America today. Monthly breast self-examinations and mammograms are the key components of early detection.

To highlight these facts, there are beneficial educational programs and events around the state. For example, several health facilities in Louisiana offer discounted mammograms. To locate these facilities please call the American Cancer Society at (504) 465-8405.

I have supported crucial legislation to ensure genetic nondiscrimination, access to cancer therapies and research tools to the environmental causes of breast cancer.

This legislation has provided more women with access to tooks that can help them detect and fight cancer.

In addition, I have authored and passed legislation to express the sense of the Congress in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In closing, I want to underscore how important it is for you to:

• Perform monthly breast self-examination and have annual mammograms.
• Talk to your family and friends about the importance of early detection.
• Tell someone about the discounted mammograms offered this month.
• Take your mom/aunt/sister to lunch and go for your mammogram together.

Here are some links to organizations that can provide more information on the fight against breast caner:

The Breast Cancer Site

Cancer Association of New Orleans

Louisiana Breast Cancer Task Force

The American Cancer Society