[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4918-S4919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 521--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF 
       SEPTEMBER 2016 AS NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. AYOTTE (for herself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Brown, Mr. Burr, Mr. 
Coons, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Rubio) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 521

       Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic 
     cancers;
       Whereas ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer 
     deaths among women in the United States;
       Whereas in 2016, approximately 22,280 new cases of ovarian 
     cancer will be diagnosed, and 14,240 women will die of 
     ovarian cancer in the United States;
       Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not 
     significantly decreased since the ``War on Cancer'' was 
     declared more than 40 years ago;
       Whereas a quarter of women will die within 1 year of 
     diagnosis with ovarian cancer and over half will die within 5 
     years;
       Whereas there is the mammogram to detect breast cancer and 
     the Pap smear to detect cervical cancer, there is currently 
     no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer;
       Whereas the lack of an early detection test means that 
     approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are 
     detected at an advanced stage;
       Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and 
     approximately 20 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian 
     cancer have a hereditary disposition for ovarian cancer, 
     which places them at even a higher risk;
       Whereas scientists and physicians have uncovered changes in 
     the BRCA genes that some women inherit from their parents, 
     which may make them 30 times more likely to develop ovarian 
     cancer;
       Whereas the family history of a woman has been found to 
     play an important role in accurately assessing her risk of 
     developing ovarian cancer and medical experts believe the 
     family history of a woman should be taken into consideration 
     during her annual well woman visit;
       Whereas many experts in health prevention now recommend 
     genetic testing for young women with a family history of 
     breast and ovarian cancer;
       Whereas women who know they are at high risk of breast and 
     ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures to help 
     reduce the risk of developing these diseases;
       Whereas the Society of Gynecologic Oncology now recommends 
     that all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer receive 
     counseling and genetic testing;
       Whereas many people are unaware that the symptoms of 
     ovarian cancer often include bloating, pelvic or abdominal 
     pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, urinary 
     symptoms, and several other symptoms that are easily confused 
     with other diseases;

[[Page S4919]]

       Whereas awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by 
     women and health care providers can lead to a quicker 
     diagnosis;
       Whereas in June 2007, the first national consensus 
     statement on ovarian cancer symptoms was developed to provide 
     consistency in describing symptoms to make it easier for 
     women to learn and remember the symptoms;
       Whereas each year during the month of September, the 
     Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance and the partner members 
     hold a number of events to increase public awareness of 
     ovarian cancer; and
       Whereas September 2016 should be designated as ``National 
     Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month'' to increase public awareness 
     of ovarian cancer: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2016 as ``National Ovarian Cancer 
     Awareness Month''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Ovarian 
     Cancer Awareness Month.

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