III 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 205 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2013 as National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 30, 2013 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOZMAN, 

Mrs. BOXER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mrs. HAGAN, 

Ms. HIRONO, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MORAN, Mr. RUBIO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, 

Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. VITTER, Ms. WARREN, and Mr. WHITEHOUSE) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2013 

as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic 

cancers; 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer 

deaths among women in the United States; 

Whereas, in 2013, approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian 

cancer will be diagnosed, and 14,400 women will die of 

ovarian cancer in the United States; 

Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not significantly decreased since the ‘‘War on Cancer’’ was declared 

more than 40 years ago; 


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•SRES 205 ATS 

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 a higher risk; 

Whereas some women, such as those with a family history of 

breast or ovarian cancer, are at higher risk for developing 

the disease; 

Whereas the Pap test is sensitive and specific to the early detection of cervical cancer, but not 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, in June 2007, the first national consensus statement on ovarian cancer symptoms was developed to provide consistency in describing symptoms to make it easier 

for women to learn and remember the symptoms; 

Whereas there are known methods to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, including prophylactic surgery, oral contraceptives, and breastfeeding; 

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 

46 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; 


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•SRES 205 ATS 

Whereas awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by 

women and health care providers can lead to a quicker 

diagnosis; 

Whereas, each year during the month of September, the 

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and its partner members hold a number of events to increase public awareness of ovarian cancer; and 

Whereas September 2013 should be designated as ‘‘National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’’ to increase public 

awareness of ovarian cancer: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and 

2 ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

Æ 


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