[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING JANET BAGLIERI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month to honor my constituent and ovarian cancer survivor, 
Janet Baglieri.
  For as long as Janet can remember, she's had a sour stomach. That's 
why in 2010, when she experienced prolonged periods of abdominal 
bloating and cramping, she initially didn't think much of it and simply 
chalked it up to her long history of stomach sensitivity.
  Eventually, after months of discomfort, she went to the doctor who 
referred her to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. It was during 
this routine colonoscopy that doctors discovered Janet's ovarian 
cancer, and in August of that year she was diagnosed with stage 3c 
ovarian cancer. After undergoing surgery, doctors removed two large 
masses from her ovaries and performed a full hysterectomy.
  During Janet's battle with ovarian cancer, she received genetic 
counseling and testing and discovered that she carries a BRCA2 genetic 
mutation. In contrast to other cancers, there is a much stronger 
hereditary component in ovarian cancer. Inherited genetic mutations 
cause roughly 20-25 percent of ovarian cancer cases compared to 5-10 
percent of cancer cases overall, and BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the commonly 
inherited genetic mutations that cause ovarian cancer.
  While genetic information is ideally applied in the context of cancer 
risk management and prevention, it increasingly plays a role post-
diagnosis in guiding treatment options. Such is the case with Janet, 
who recently began taking PARP inhibitors after being diagnosed with a 
recurrence. PARP inhibitors are an emergent class of targeted therapies 
that work by blocking the growth of cancer cells and are typically 
taken long-term. For BRCA positive women with ovarian cancer like 
Janet, PARPs have proven to be a lifeline.
  Today, Janet is an 8-year survivor. She has experienced the ups of 
remission and the downs of recurrence, all the while showcasing bravery 
and strength throughout her journey and never missing a beat in taking 
care of her family.
  Sharing stories like Janet's is an important way to spread awareness 
not only this month, but every month. Awareness is particularly 
impactful when it comes to ovarian cancer because there is no effective 
screening tool. It is notoriously hard to diagnose and progresses 
quickly and aggressively, often with vague or altogether absent 
symptoms. As a result, most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the 
late stages, when treatment options are limited and chances for 
survival are diminished. Less than 50 percent of women diagnosed with 
ovarian cancer live five years beyond their diagnosis.
  Janet is beating the odds and serves as an inspiration to all of us. 
In honor of Janet and every other woman who has faced an ovarian cancer 
diagnosis, I support designating September as National Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month.

                          ____________________