[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5009-S5010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 907--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 2026 AS
``NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH''
Ms. SLOTKIN (for herself and Mrs. Britt) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions:
S. Res. 907
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 about 1 in 91;
Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates 20,010 cases
of ovarian cancer will be newly diagnosed in 2026, and 12,450
individuals will die from the disease nationwide;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 51.6
percent, and survival rates vary greatly depending on the
stage of diagnosis;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer exceeds
90 percent for individuals diagnosed in early stages;
Whereas, while the mammogram can detect breast cancer and
the Pap smear can detect 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 established to
provide consistency in recognizing symptoms, making them
easier to identify and report;
Whereas Black women with ovarian cancer are more likely to
receive late-stage diagnoses, experience delayed or lower
quality clinical care, and face lower 5-year survival rates
compared to non-Black women;
Whereas disparities in care persist, with Black women
experiencing lower survival rates than White women;
Whereas women of color, low-income women, and women living
in rural areas face systemic barriers to high-quality care
and are less likely to receive treatment adhering to National
Comprehensive Cancer Network (referred to in this preamble as
the ``NCCN'') treatment guidelines;
Whereas the proportion of ovarian cancer cases in women
serving on active duty in the Armed Forces who are less than
45 years of age is substantially greater than in the general
population;
Whereas the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include
bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or
feeling full quickly, urinary symptoms, and several other
symptoms, are often vague and are often easily misattributed
to other diseases;
Whereas improved public and clinical awareness of ovarian
cancer symptoms can lead to earlier presentation, faster
diagnostic evaluation, and expanded treatment options;
Whereas the absence of an early detection test for ovarian
cancer combined with its vague symptoms mean that
approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are
detected at an advanced stage;
Whereas gaps in collecting and reporting data on treatment
and outcomes related to ovarian cancer risk, especially for
underserved communities and marginalized populations, can
impede the development of effective health policies;
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;
[[Page S5010]]
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 her 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 those women who have a family history of ovarian or
breast cancer should consider genetic testing and counseling
to determine whether their risk of developing a heritable
cancer is elevated;
Whereas women who know that they are at high risk of
ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures like a
salpingo-oophorectomy to help reduce the risk of developing
this disease;
Whereas guidelines issued by the NCCN and the 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 continue to show that many individuals
diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not receive recommended
genetic counseling and testing;
Whereas, according to a 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 advances in precision medicine, genetic testing,
targeted therapies, and maintenance treatments have improved
outcomes for many patients with ovarian cancer, yet
significant unmet needs remain, particularly in early
detection;
Whereas ovarian cancer research remains underfunded
relative to its mortality rate, making increased Federal
investment critical to progress;
Whereas ongoing investments in ovarian cancer research and
education and awareness efforts are critical to closing these
gaps and improving survivorship for women with ovarian
cancer;
Whereas, each year during the month of September, the
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and community partner
organizations hold a number of events to increase public
awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms; and
Whereas September 2026 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) supports the designation of ``National Ovarian Cancer
Awareness Month''; and
(2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Month''.
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