[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6552-S6553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 367--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2021 AS ``NATIONAL OVARIAN 
                        CANCER AWARENESS MONTH''

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Padilla) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 367

       Whereas ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer 
     deaths of women in the United States and causes more deaths 
     than any other gynecologic cancer;
       Whereas, in the United States, a woman's lifetime risk of 
     being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is approximately 1 in 78;
       Whereas, in 2020, the American Cancer Society estimates 
     21,750 cases of ovarian cancer were newly diagnosed and 
     13,940 individuals died from the disease in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 
     approximately 46.5 percent, and survival rates vary greatly 
     depending on the stage of diagnosis;
       Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is more 
     than 90 percent for individuals diagnosed in early stages;
       Whereas, while a mammogram can detect breast cancer and a 
     Pap smear can detect

[[Page S6553]]

     cervical cancer, there is no reliable early detection test 
     for ovarian cancer;
       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 those symptoms;
       Whereas Black women with ovarian cancer are more likely to 
     have late-stage diagnoses, receive lower quality clinical 
     services, and have lower 5-year survival rates than non-Black 
     women;
       Whereas women of color, women with low-incomes, and women 
     living in rural areas have more barriers to accessing 
     standard quality of care and are more likely to receive care 
     at a facility that has poorer adherence to treatment 
     guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer 
     Network;
       Whereas too many people remain 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 vague symptoms that are often 
     easily confused with other diseases;
       Whereas improved awareness of the symptoms of ovarian 
     cancer by the public and health care providers can lead to a 
     quicker diagnosis and improved outcomes;
       Whereas the lack of an early detection test for ovarian 
     cancer, combined with its vague symptoms, means that 
     approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are 
     detected at an advanced stage;
       Whereas issues collecting and reporting data related to 
     ovarian cancer risk, treatment, and outcomes are particularly 
     pronounced--especially for underserved communities and 
     marginalized populations--and impede the development of 
     effective policy;
       Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but 
     approximately 20 percent of women who are diagnosed with 
     ovarian cancer have a hereditary predisposition to ovarian 
     cancer, which places them at even higher risk;
       Whereas scientists and physicians have uncovered changes in 
     the BRCA genes that some women inherit from their parents, 
     which may make those women 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 a woman's risk 
     of developing ovarian cancer, and medical experts believe 
     that family history should be taken into consideration during 
     the annual well-woman visit of any woman;
       Whereas women who know that they are at high risk of 
     ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures to help 
     reduce the risk of developing the disease;
       Whereas guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive 
     Cancer Network and Society of Gynecologic Oncology recommend 
     that all individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer receive 
     genetic counseling and genetic testing, regardless of their 
     family history;
       Whereas studies consistently show that compliance with 
     those guidelines is alarmingly low, with recently published 
     research funded by the National Cancer Institute finding that 
     in 2013 and 2014, only \1/3\ of ovarian cancer survivors have 
     undergone such testing;
       Whereas, according to a 2016 consensus report by the 
     National Academy of Medicine, ``there remain surprising gaps 
     in the fundamental knowledge about and understanding of 
     ovarian cancer'' across all aspects of the disease;
       Whereas ongoing investments in research, education, and 
     awareness efforts relating to ovarian cancer are critical to 
     closing those gaps and improving survivorship for women with 
     ovarian cancer;
       Whereas, each year during the month of September, Ovarian 
     Cancer Research Alliance and its community partners hold a 
     number of events to increase public awareness of ovarian 
     cancer and its symptoms; and
       Whereas September 2021 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 2021 as ``National Ovarian Cancer 
     Awareness Month''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Ovarian 
     Cancer Awareness Month.

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