Senate Resolution Recognizes Ovarian Cancer Month

On July 29, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Month (S. Res. 242).

Sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers;
• Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States;
• The mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not significantly decreased since the “War on Cancer” was declared 40 years ago;
• 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 a higher risk;
• The pap test is sensitive and specific to the early detection of cervical cancer, but not ovarian cancer;
• There is currently no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer; and
• 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.

The resolution acknowledges that “awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by women and health care providers can lead to a quicker diagnosis” and designates September 2011 as National Ovarian Cancer Month in order to increase awareness of the disease.