III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 521 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2016 as National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 7, 2016 

Ms. AYOTTE (for herself, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BROWN, Mr. BURR, Mr. 

COONS, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. PETERS, and Mr. RUBIO) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2016 

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 2016, approximately 22,280 new cases of ovarian 

cancer will be diagnosed, and 14,240 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; 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 521 IS 

Whereas a quarter of women will die within 1 year of diagnosis with ovarian cancer and over half will die within 5 

years; 

Whereas there is the mammogram to detect breast cancer 

and the Pap smear to detect cervical cancer, there is currently no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer; 

Whereas the lack of an early detection test means that approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at an advanced stage; 

Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and approximately 20 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian 

cancer have a hereditary disposition for ovarian cancer, 

which places them at even a higher risk; 

Whereas scientists and physicians have uncovered changes in 

the BRCA genes that some women inherit from their 

parents, which may make them 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 the 

family history of a woman should be taken into consideration during her annual well-woman visit; 

Whereas many experts in health prevention now recommend 

genetic testing for young women with a family history of 

breast and ovarian cancer; 

Whereas women who know they are at high risk of breast and 

ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures to 

help reduce the risk of developing these diseases; 

Whereas the Society of Gynecologic Oncology now recommends that all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer 

receive counseling and genetic testing; 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 521 IS 

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 awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by 

women and health care providers can lead to a quicker 

diagnosis; 

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 each year during the month of September, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance and the partner 

members hold a number of events to increase public 

awareness of ovarian cancer; and 

Whereas September 2016 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— 

2 (1) designates September 2016 as ‘‘National 

3 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’’; and 

4 (2) supports the goals and ideals of National 

5 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS