[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH AND INFORMATION AMENDMENTS OF 2001

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                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce that I am 
today introducing the Ovarian Cancer and Research Amendments of 2001. I 
am proud to be joined by 56 original co-sponsors and would like to 
invite the rest of my colleagues to join me in support of the bill.
  Ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive 
system, primarily because it is so difficult to detect in its early 
stages. While survival rates are quite high if the disease is found 
before it spread beyond the ovaries, the five-year survival rate drops 
to 28% for women who are diagnosed and treated in the later stages of 
the disease. Only 25% of ovarian cancer cases are caught in the 
earliest stages.
  The Ovarian Cancer and Research Amendments of 2001 has three 
components.
  First, it authorizes $150 million for ovarian cancer research: one-
half to be spent on basic cancer research and one-half on clinical 
trials and treatment. The bill requires that priority be given to 
developing a test for the early detection of ovarian cancer; research 
to identify precursor lesions and to determine the manner in which 
benign conditions progress to malignant status; and research to 
determine the relationship between ovarian cancer and endometriosis. 
Moreover, the bill requires that appropriate counseling be provided to 
women participating in clinical trials.
  Second, the bill provides for a comprehensive education program to 
provide information to patients and the public on screening procedures, 
the genetic basis to ovarian cancer, factors that increase the risk of 
getting ovarian cancer; and any new treatments for ovarian cancer.
  Finally, it requires that the National Cancer Advisory Board include 
at least one individual who is at high risk of developing ovarian 
cancer.
  I hope all my colleagues will join me in supporting this worthy cause 
and help to give women a fighting chance against ovarian cancer.

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