[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 678, submitted 
earlier today by Senator Stabenow.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 678) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements related to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 678) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 678

       Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all 
     gynecological cancers, and the reported incidence of ovarian 
     cancer is increasing over time;
       Whereas ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer 
     deaths among women in the United States;
       Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and 90 
     percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not have a 
     family history that puts them at higher risk;
       Whereas the Pap smear is sensitive and specific to the 
     early detection of cervical cancer, but not to ovarian 
     cancer;
       Whereas there is currently no reliable and easy-to-
     administer screening test used for the early detection of 
     ovarian cancer;
       Whereas many people are unaware that the symptoms of 
     ovarian cancer often include bloating, pelvic or abdominal 
     pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary 
     symptoms, among several other symptoms that are easily 
     confused with other diseases;
       Whereas due to the lack of a reliable early screening test, 
     75 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at an 
     advanced stage, when the 5-year survival rate is only 50 
     percent, a much lower rate than for many other cancers;
       Whereas if ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated at an 
     early stage before the cancer spreads outside of the ovary, 
     the treatment is potentially less costly, and the survival 
     rate is as high as 90 percent;
       Whereas there are factors that are known to reduce the risk 
     for ovarian cancer and play an important role in the 
     prevention of the disease;
       Whereas awareness and early recognition of ovarian cancer 
     symptoms are currently the best way to save women's lives;
       Whereas the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, during the 
     month of September, holds a number of events to increase 
     public awareness of ovarian cancer; and
       Whereas September 2008 has been designated by the President 
     as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

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