[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as 
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Too many American women--
sisters, daughters, nieces, wives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers--
are losing their lives to this disease. This year alone, more than 
20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 15,000 
will die of the disease.
  Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer among women, and the 
deadliest of gynecologic cancers. If ovarian cancer is treated before 
it spreads, the five-year survival rate is 93 percent. But, because 
there is no ovarian cancer screening or early detection test, many 
women won't learn their diagnosis until the odds are against them.
  We must do everything we can to make women aware of the risk factors, 
signs, and symptoms of ovarian cancer before it is too late. Doctors 
recommend that women see a gynecologist if they experience any of the 
symptoms of ovarian cancer daily for more than a few weeks. We must all 
become familiar with the early symptoms and share this information.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting investments in medical 
research. We must ensure that the National Institutes of Health, the 
National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, are receiving the funding they need to put an end to 
ovarian cancer. Investments in medical research will lead to 
breakthroughs in screening, early detection, and treatment.
  Today, I stand with the ovarian cancer community in their efforts to 
increase awareness of the symptoms, boost federal funding for ovarian 
cancer awareness, and expand federal research to improve treatments and 
develop a desperately needed screening or early detection test.
  Please join me in recognizing September as National Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month to increase public knowledge about this deadly disease 
and save lives.

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