[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 149 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2337-E2338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  GYNECOLOGICAL RESOLUTION FOR ADVANCEMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 7, 2005

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, when the House considered H. Res. 
444, a Gynecological Resolution for Advancement of Ovarian Cancer 
Education, I was unavoidably detained in my Chicago district. I would 
like to take this

[[Page E2338]]

opportunity to express my support for this resolution, which has been 
sponsored by my good friend and colleague, Ralph Hall of Texas, to 
bring attention to a disease that has afflicted one of his long time 
staff members, Grace Warren.
  That disease is ovarian cancer.
  Mr. Speaker, ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer 
mortality among women in the United States. Research has proven that 
early detection of the disease can improve the long term survival rates 
among those with the disease dramatically yet, unfortunately, there are 
few, if any, effective methods of early detection. As a result, often 
when the disease has been diagnosed, it is often far advanced.
  While the mortality rates have decreased in the United States for 
other cancers, they have remained high for women with ovarian cancer. 
This is the result, in part, because the symptoms of the disease are 
not well understood and in part, because there are no reliable and 
reasonably priced screening tests to detect the disease in its early 
stages. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
indicate that more than 22,000 American women will be diagnosed with 
the disease this year, yet last year, the National Cancer Institute 
dedicated approximately one-fifth of the research dollars to ovarian 
cancer as it does to breast cancer.
  Earlier this year, when Ralph advised me that he was sponsoring 
legislation to increase the awareness of ovarian cancer and to dedicate 
resources to research on its causes and cures, I agreed to cosponsor 
the legislation. Not only as a testament to Grace, and to the strength 
and courage which she has demonstrated while battling this devastating 
disease, but to all of the women in this country who are the victims of 
ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and proud that the House has passed this 
resolution overwhelmingly. It is my hope that the Senate will soon 
follow suit and pass similar legislation. Grace Warren, and the other 
victims of this disease, deserve no less.

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