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[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 165 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 165

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 21, 2002

Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing the sense of the Congress that continual research and 
   education into the cause and cure for fibroid tumors be addressed.

Whereas the vast majority of fibroids occur in women of reproductive age, and 
        between 20 and 40 percent of women are diagnosed;
Whereas African American women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with fibroids 
        than Caucasian women;
Whereas fibroids are the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the female pelvis 
        and range in size from 1mm to more than 20cm (8 inches) in diameter;
Whereas they are not associated with cancer and almost never develop into cancer 
        (less than one percent becoming malignant);
Whereas the symptoms of fibroids can include excessive bleeding during menstrual 
        periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, frequent urination, and/
        or lower back pain;
Whereas the preferred method of treatment for fibroids is a hysterectomy, which 
        is the complete removal of the uterus, leaving the woman unable to bear 
        children for the rest of her life;
Whereas diets rich in fatty foods have been a contributing factor to an 
        increased risk in fibroid tumors;
Whereas there are alternative methods to a hysterectomy available, but they are 
        less permanent, and have menopausal symptoms;
Whereas, in cases of hormonal treatment, the fibroids will regrow should the 
        treatment cease; and
Whereas research conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health 
        indicated that while estrogen and progesterone are contributing factors, 
        fibroids can be targeted by environmental chemicals whose effects are 
        mediated through the estrogen and/or progesterone receptors: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the Congress recognizes the health and educational 
        needs of women in the United States who may be suffering from 
        fibroids;
            (2) it is the sense of the Congress that the medical 
        community should explore alternatives to hysterectomies in 
        greater detail, so that women who choose to bear children in 
        their lives may do so, while eliminating recurring fibroids; 
        and
            (3) the Congress--
                    (A) encourages women to pay greater attention to 
                their reproductive health by making regular visits to 
                their OB/GYNs; and
                    (B) encourages women and their physicians to know 
                all safe options available for the prevention and cure 
                of fibroids.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 20, 2002.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.
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