[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORT FOR JOHANNA'S LAW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to a disease 
affecting women throughout the United States. According to the American 
Cancer Society, ovarian cancer accounts for 3 percent of all cancers 
among women and over 22,220 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this 
year in the U.S. Unfortunately, the death rate for this disease has 
remained steady in the last 50 years.
  I am a proud cosponsor of Johanna's Law which would create a national 
public education campaign to increase awareness of gynecologic cancers, 
including ovarian cancer. The legislation will also provide grants to 
local and national organizations to increase such awareness among women 
and health professionals. Johanna's Law is named after Johanna Silver 
Gordon who died of ovarian cancer in 2000.
  It is essential that ovarian cancer, like all gynecologic cancers, be 
detected in the earliest stages of the disease because it is more 
easily treatable at that time. Unfortunately, as the cancer progresses, 
it becomes more difficult to treat and is generally fatal in later 
stages. Johanna's Law would help women to recognize their symptoms and 
encourage regular check-ups, thereby preventing many of these cancers 
from becoming terminal. The best hope of survival is early detection.
  I would like to highlight language in the FY2006 Labor, Health and 
Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which addresses key 
goals of Johanna's Law. Specifically, this report language directs 
$100,000 for a national education campaign concerning gynecologic 
cancer, with an emphasis on early detection. The Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, CDC, and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services', HHS, Office of Women's Health will work together to 
coordinate these education and outreach efforts.
  As a member of the Labor-HHS Subcommittee, I am proud of this 
important first step in helping to educate women and health care 
professionals about gynecologic cancer. I look forward to working with 
my colleagues to continue our public education efforts and pass 
Johanna's Law in the 109th Congress.

                          ____________________