Larson Highlights Cancer Awareness Legislation At Launch of We Work For Connecticut
For Immediate Release
April 14, 2009
Contact: Paul Mounds (860) 278-8888
Congressman Larson and Academy Award-winning Actress Marcia Gay Harden(Photo Courtesy of MaryEllen Fillo/Hartford Courant)
Congressman Larson Joins Academy Award-Winner Marcia Gay Harden for Launch of We Work For Health Connecticut
Larson Highlights Legislation to Increase Breast Cancer Awareness
Hartford, CT- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson joined Academy Award-winning actress and cancer patient advocate Marcia Gay Harden, and members of the Connecticut General Assembly for the official launch of We Work For Health Connecticut. A network of state-based partners including, Connecticut United for Research Excellence, The Sheet Metal Workers Union, and Pfizer, We Work for Health Connecticut is dedicated to protecting and fostering medical innovation in the United States and in Connecticut.
In a new report released by the organization at today's press conference, Connecticut is a national leader in the development of new medicines to treat or prevent cancer. According to the report, over 70 medicines are currently being developed by Connecticut based companies. Congressman Larson spoke at the press conference in support of the EARLY Act, which is sponsored by U.S. Congresswoman and cancer-survivor Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
"I am proud and honored to be a cosponsor of the EARLY Act, introduced by my colleague Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida. Congresswoman Schultz, a mother of three, waged a courageous and successful battle against breast cancer, a gallant fight she described recently in the Miami Herald. She felt it was important to speak about this issue, and make the public, and most importantly young women, aware of the need for early diagnosis."
"Over a sixteen month period, unbeknownst to her fellow Members of Congress, she underwent several operations. Throughout the ordeal, she continued to serve her district, state, and our nation in the halls of the House."
"Because of her knowledge of this disease, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz understood that due to her genetic makeup, there was a high possibility the cancer would reoccur. The awareness and knowledge of the cancer and the affect on her body enabled Congresswoman Wassermann Schultz to aggressively fight the disease."
"The EARLY Act will create a national framework of educational outreach and services programs to combat breast cancer from a preventative and awareness standpoint. Young women across the nation will learn the importance of early prevention and awareness"
"I'm honored to be here today, and I want to assure the residents of Connecticut and across this nation, The Obama Administration and Congress are focused to provide universal access to health care, with prevention and wellness at the front burner."
In 2008, the American Cancer Society projected 182,460 new cases of breast cancer in females with an estimated 10,000 of these women being under 40 years of age.
The EARLY ACT (Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act), introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, will provide funding to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to create a national evidence-based campaign consisting of:
•oA media campaign targeting younger women to educate them on the risk factors for breast cancer
•oGrants to state agencies to develop better breast cancer awareness materials for young women in high school and college
•oAn education campaign for health care professionals to increase awareness of risk factors and understanding of genetic risks
The bill also will provide funding to the CDC to:
•oConduct breast cancer research on younger women to better understand the psychological and behavioral impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis
•oExamine physician and public knowledge on breast cancer risk factors.
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