S.Res. 295 (111^th): A resolution designating October 13, 2009, as “National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day”.

Whereas metastatic breast cancer refers to stage IV breast cancer, when cancer cells travel from the breast, either through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, to other parts of the body, including the bones, liver, lungs, or brain, and continue to grow in the new location;

Whereas in 2009, an estimated 192,370 women and 1,910 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,280 women will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer;

Whereas nearly 30 percent of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will develop stage IV advanced or metastatic breast cancer;

Whereas in developing countries, the majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed with advanced stage or metastatic disease;

Whereas the statistic that 155,000 women and men are presently living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States underscores the immediate need for increased public awareness;

Whereas there currently is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer frequently involves trying one treatment after another with the goal of extending the best quality of life as possible;

Whereas scientists and researchers are conducting important research projects to achieve breakthroughs in metastatic breast cancer research;

Whereas metastatic breast cancer is rarely discussed during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed in October 2009, but those living with the disease should never feel isolated or ignored;

Whereas metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day emphasizes the urgent need for new, targeted breast cancer treatments that will provide a high quality of life and long life expectancy for patients by making stage IV cancer a chronic, but not fatal, disease; and

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness in the general public and the medical community of breast cancer: Now, therefore, be it