Mr. Speaker, many members have spoken recently on the subject of breast cancer, a devastating disease that has become the leading cause of death among women 35 to 55 years of age.
Breast cancer has had a profound effect on my own family. My grandmother had breast cancer 35 years ago and survived. While, I lost my mother to breast cancer five years ago, I am very proud to say that one of my sisters is now doing leading edge research at the University of Ottawa.
Every 30 minutes another Canadian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 5,400 women die of the disease every year. While these statistics are alarming, we have made great strides in the fight against this disease. The benefits of extensive awareness programs and early detection screening are starting to be felt as mortality rates for breast cancer in Canada have begun to decline.
October is breast cancer awareness month. Let us all wear the pink ribbon and show our support for women confronting this dreaded disease.