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REMARKS BY:

TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

PLACE:

Cannon Office Building Caucus Room

DATE:

March 9, 2004

Komen Foundation Public Policy Awards Luncheon

Good afternoon. Thank you Ambassador Nancy Brinker for that kind introduction. I've known you a long time. You started fundraising at age 9 and you haven't quit. I'm so happy you started the Race for the Cure. You've done such an outstanding job and it's an honor to be introduced by you. But I'm even more honored to call you my friend.

I thank Cokie Roberts for being here today and I would like to thank the Komen Foundation for honoring me with this award.

I would also like to commend all of you in this room on the wonderful work you do in providing support for women with breast cancer and in researching for a cure. Ladies and gentleman, it's time to find the cure.

As Secretary, every day I learn of new reasons why supporting women's health and breast cancer awareness is so vitally important. But there are also two other very special reasons that are close to my heart: my wife, Sue Ann and my daughter, Tommi. My mother-in-law died from breast cancer and Sue Ann is a breast cancer survivor. And about one month ago, through a self-examination, Tommi found a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer has touched everyone in this room either directly or indirectly. Fortunately, groups like the Komen Foundation help ease the burdens of breast cancer. I salute you and I thank you.

My Department and I are working hard to create a future where women and men are free of the fear of breast cancer. This year, we are spending about $900 million on breast cancer research and prevention activities. And next year we propose to spend $938 million. That's more than a 30% increase in spending compared with 2001. I say that, but it's never enough. We need to continue to find ways to do more.

Every day, our scientists and researchers are working on stronger prevention methods and finding a cure for this insidious disease. Right now, the largest cancer screening trial ever is being conducted at the National Institutes of Health, enrolling 50,000 women at 35 centers in the United States and Canada. The study is evaluating innovative breast imaging modalities, including digital imaging, magnetic resource imaging, and ultrasound, for the early detection of breast cancer.

By the end of this year, we should know whether digital mammography proves as effective or more effective than the standard film mammography. If digital is better, it may lead to improved cancer detection, fewer call-backs for work-ups of suspicious lesions, and improved services for women all over America.

And, a recent study examined cancer recurrence in post-menopausal survivors of early-stage breast cancer. After five years of tamoxifen therapy, they were given the drug letrozole. This study was even halted early, because scientists received such positive results. The women taking letrozole, instead of the placebo, had a reduction in the number of cancer recurrences in their previously affected breast, a reduction in the number of new cancers in their opposite breast and a reduction in the spread of the cancer outside their breast.

In addition to these advancements, my Department is also working to improve the overall health of women by conducting research in cervical cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, and every other major health issue. We're also leading the Heart Truth Campaign. This campaign is designed to increase women's awareness about heart disease, the number one killer of women, and encourage women to take their heart health seriously. These, along with our efforts to fight breast cancer, are all great steps my Department is taking to improve the quality of all women's health. Ladies and gentleman, it's time for us to find a cure.

The research we're conducting on breast cancer is very promising, but until the day comes when we find that cure or treatment for breast cancer, our best defense is increasing awareness and focusing on early detection. The Komen Foundation is the champion in doing just that.

I truly thank you for this award and thank the Komen foundation for all the good work that they do. I can't imagine where we'd be in this country without you. I congratulate my fellow winners and thank all of the distinguished people here today for supporting a cause that needs all of our support.

Ladies and gentleman, we've just begun this first and we're going to win very soon.

God love you. And God bless the United States of America.

Last Revised: March 10, 2004

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