Because it is so widespread, virtually every family in America has been touched by cancer.  Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in females, affecting approximately one out of nine women.  My heart goes out to all those families who face this challenge daily. 

Basic medical research is critical to the prevention and treatment of diseases like breast cancer.  Congress has placed a high priority over the last few years on funding medical research.  Over the past decade, Congress has more than doubled the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This is quite an achievement and a significant step toward providing cutting edge treatments for victims of all diseases.  With more funding, NIH will be able to continue its ground breaking research, with the hope of one day finding a cure for cancer and many other diseases. 

Early detection is critical to the treatment of cancer.  It can mean the difference between life and death.  This is why I support H.R. 5472, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) Reauthorization Act.  This bill would reauthorize NBCCDP that helps uninsured and underserved women gain access to screening services for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer.  While it is my hope that we will vote on this bill by the end of this Congress, I have been told by the Committee that has jurisdiction over  this bill that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has authority to continue this program without its reauthorization. 

We can help save lives through research and early detection programs like the NBCCEDP.