[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   JOHANNA'S LAW: THE GYNECOLOGIC CANCER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the House to take up 
and pass H.R. 1245, Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and 
Awareness Act. This legislation has been cosponsored by 256 Members of 
the House of Representatives and 40 Senators.
  H.R. 1245, through an educational and awareness campaign, will help 
women understand the symptoms of uterine and other gynecological 
cancers, the importance of having an annual exam, and the need for open 
communication with their doctors in an attempt to save women from 
preventable deaths.
  Johanna's Law has the potential to help more than 80,000 women who 
will be diagnosed with some type of gynecological cancer this year. 
Beneficial to all women of various ethnicities and socioeconomic 
backgrounds, the legislation will inform them of preventative measures 
and help them understand the symptoms which can lead to early detection 
and subsequently, save lives.
  Of the women who will be diagnosed with gynecological cancer this 
year, 28,000 will die, primarily because they did not recognize their 
symptoms and the cancer detection came too late to treat the disease 
effectively.
  The 5-year survival rates for the most common gynecologic cancers are 
90 percent when diagnosed early. Survival rates drop to 50 percent or 
less for cancers diagnosed later.
  Gynecologic cancers such as ovarian and endometrial cancer do not yet 
have a reliable screening test that can be used for the general 
population. The Pap smear reliably detects only cervical cancer. That's 
why knowing the symptoms of these cancers is key to early diagnosis.
  Sadly, recent surveys confirm most women are unaware of the risk 
factors and do not recognize the early symptoms of gynecologic cancers. 
This lack of information and understanding is deadly.
  September has been declared Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by 
President Bush, and governors of all 50 States have also declared 
September Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. However, over one-third 
of the women diagnosed this year with a gynecologic cancer will die 
from the gynecologic cancer primarily due to a lack of early education 
and prevention, as well as effective screening.
  Data suggests that with even a modest improvement in outreach and 
education, we can save lives and precious healthcare resources, and 
improve the health of our Nation's women. This legislation will 
accomplish that--through education of both women and their health care 
providers.
  Mr. Speaker, there is clearly a need for Johanna's Law and the time 
is now. The women of this country and their families deserve no less.

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