Supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, for thousands of Americans, a doctor's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a devastating occasion that can send patients and their families into a whirlwind of depression and despair. Every year, more than 33,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and even more startling is the fact that the overwhelming majority of those patients will die of pancreatic cancer. Only about 4 percent are currently expected to live beyond 5 years. As Mr. Davis said, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States.

After years of research, we are not significantly closer to understanding what causes pancreatic cancer. Most cancers are caused by environmental, dietary or lifestyle factors, and most pancreatic cancer is believed to be no different. However, the specific link between the onset of pancreatic cancer and any one or a combination of these extraneous factors has yet to be determined. A significant body of research is developing around a possible hereditary link in pancreatic cancer, but even the results of these studies have shown that only 5 to 10 percent of cases have genetic links.

Although awareness of cancer's prevalence in the United States improves and medical advances in the field abound, pancreatic cancer has largely been absent from the list of major success stories. Surgical procedures may have increased the survival chances of some with the disease, but there has been little momentum in advancing diagnostics or nonsurgical oncological treatments beyond palliative care.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important piece of legislation that draws attention to this devastating disease. We need to make people more aware of it. We also need to make sure that the National Institutes of Health has the resources necessary to continue to work toward finding cures and treatments for pancreatic cancer, all cancers, and so many other devastating diseases that hurt and strike families across our country every year.

I urge adoption of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support House Resolution 745. This resolution will help to increase awareness about a horrible disease: pancreatic cancer.

Few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific killer. This year alone, over 33,000 people will be diagnosed with this disease. Because there are no early detection tools for this cancer, 99 percent of those diagnosed will lose their lives.

Many Americans are not aware that pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers; most patients only survive three to six months after diagnosis. This is why it is a moral imperative for Congress to work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer.

Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (known as ``PanCAN'') is the only national advocacy organization available for pancreatic cancer patients and their families and friends. I became aware of PanCAN through a constituent of mine, Bob Hammen, who lost his wife to this terrible disease. PanCAN provides patient support and professional education about this disease, while coordinating advocacy programs to focus national attention on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.

PanCAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. With the passage of H. Res. 745, Congress will be supporting PanCAN's efforts to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer so that scientific advancements can lead to some early detection programs and effective treatments.

Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have family, friends and neighbors who are regrettably vulnerable to this dreaded disease, I urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here today.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 745) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 745, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts), would support the goals and the ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer of the pancreas is known to be one of the most devastating and deadly forms of cancer. It is the fourth most common cause of death by cancer in the United States and recent studies have shown that of the estimated 23,000 cases annually, 23 percent will live less than a year. With no early detection methods and minimal treatment options, this resolution seeks to provide elevated awareness on the risks associated with pancreatic cancer, as well as the need for research funding and greater treatment options.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.