[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 267--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                     OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Hutchison, 
Mr. Bayh, Mr. Franken, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mrs. Boxer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 267

       Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic 
     cancers, and the reported mortality rate from ovarian cancer 
     is increasing;
       Whereas ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer 
     deaths among women in the United States;
       Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not 
     significantly decreased since the ``War on Cancer'' was 
     declared, nearly 40 years ago;
       Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and 90 
     percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not have a 
     family history that puts them at higher risk;
       Whereas the Pap test is sensitive and specific to the early 
     detection of cervical cancer, but not to ovarian cancer;
       Whereas there is currently no reliable early detection test 
     for ovarian cancer;
       Whereas many people are 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 symptoms that are easily confused 
     with other diseases;
       Whereas, due to the lack of a reliable early detection 
     test, 75 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at 
     an advanced stage, making the overall 5-year survival rate 
     only 45 percent;
       Whereas, if ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated at an 
     early stage, before the cancer spreads outside of the ovary, 
     the survival rate is as high as 90 percent;
       Whereas there are factors that are known to reduce the risk 
     for ovarian cancer and that play an important role in the 
     prevention of the disease;
       Whereas awareness and early recognition of ovarian cancer 
     symptoms are the best way to save the lives of women;
       Whereas, each year during the month of September, the 
     Ovarian Cancer National Alliance holds a number of events to 
     increase public awareness of ovarian cancer; and
       Whereas the President has designated September 2009 as 
     ``National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

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