[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON BACON

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2022

  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today during Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month to recognize women who have been diagnosed with ovarian 
cancer and have either survived or unfortunately lost their hard-fought 
battle. A rare but deadly disease, only approximately 19,880 women will 
receive a new diagnosis this year--this past March, our Communications 
Director Danielle Jensen was one of them.
  The deadliest of the reproductive cancers, only 20 percent are 
diagnosed early in Stages I or II, with a five-year survival rate of 
over 93 percent. Unfortunately, the majority of cases are diagnosed in 
Stages Ill or IV, when the survival rate can be as low as 30 percent. 
The risk of a woman getting ovarian cancer is about 1 in 78 in her 
lifetime and it is estimated that 12,810 women will lose their lives to 
ovarian cancer this year. Fortunately, Danielle was diagnosed as Stage 
II and recently completed chemotherapy.
  There are several factors that can increase the risk of ovarian 
cancers. Age is the biggest one. Half of all ovarian cancers are found 
in women 63 years of age and older. Another is if a woman has never 
carried a pregnancy to full-term or had a child after the age of 35. 
Hormone replacement therapy, a family history of ovarian, breast or 
colorectal cancer, or a personal history of breast cancer are also risk 
factors.
  There is no reliable screening or diagnostic test for ovarian cancer, 
and it cannot be detected during a pap smear, so it is important to 
know the signs and symptoms. This includes back pain, bloating, 
frequent urination, feeling full quickly after eating, fatigue, upset 
stomach-heartburn-or constipation, pelvic or abdominal pain, or changes 
in menstrual cycles. While these symptoms are most likely not signs of 
cancer, they should be of concern if they don't go away after two weeks 
following normal interventions such as changing diet and exercise, 
laxatives, or rest. It is because of this that ovarian cancer is often 
referred to as ``the silent killer.''
  There are different treatments for ovarian cancer. Danielle had 
surgery and she went through six cycles of chemotherapy to kill any 
cancer cells that may have been left. Some women will also undergo 
radiation to treat it.
  What can lower the risk of ovarian cancer? Women who have been 
pregnant and carried to term before the age of 26, and each full-term 
pregnancy lowers the risk. Some studies show that breastfeeding may 
lower the risk even further, as well as using birth control pills.
  Finally, we are thankful that Danielle was diagnosed when she was and 
is on the path to being a survivor. She said she credits God and her 
faith for keeping her motivation focused and strong, as well as her 
medical team at Estabrook Cancer Center, including Dr. Crotzer, her 
nurse navigator Emily and PA Lorna, and her infusion nurse Abbey. She 
also thanks her family, including her mom who went to every appointment 
and her daughter who would check in on Danielle when she heard her 
crying from the pain, and her friends who supported her every day.

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