III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 367 

Designating September 2021 as ‘‘National Ovarian Cancer Awareness 

Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Ms. DUCKWORTH, and Mr. PADILLA) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating September 2021 as ‘‘National Ovarian Cancer 

Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer 

deaths of women in the United States and causes more 

deaths than any other gynecologic cancer; 

Whereas, in the United States, a woman’s lifetime risk of 

being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is approximately 1 

in 78; 

Whereas, in 2020, the American Cancer Society estimates 

21,750 cases of ovarian cancer were newly diagnosed and 

13,940 individuals died from the disease in the United 

States; 


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•SRES 367 IS 

Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is approximately 46.5 percent, and survival rates vary greatly 

depending on the stage of diagnosis; 

Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is more 

than 90 percent for individuals diagnosed in early stages; 

Whereas, while a mammogram can detect breast cancer and 

a Pap smear can detect cervical cancer, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer; 

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 those symptoms; 

Whereas Black women with ovarian cancer are more likely to 

have late-stage diagnoses, receive lower quality clinical 

services, and have lower 5-year survival rates than nonBlack women; 

Whereas women of color, women with low incomes, and 

women living in rural areas have more barriers to accessing standard quality of care and are more likely to receive care at a facility that has poorer adherence to treatment guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive 

Cancer Network; 

Whereas too many people remain 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 vague symptoms that are 

often easily confused with other diseases; 

Whereas improved awareness of the symptoms of ovarian 

cancer by the public and health care providers can lead 

to a quicker diagnosis and improved outcomes; 


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•SRES 367 IS 

Whereas the lack of an early detection test for ovarian cancer, combined with its vague symptoms, means that approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at an advanced stage; 

Whereas issues collecting and reporting data related to ovarian cancer risk, treatment, and outcomes are particularly 

pronounced—especially for underserved communities and 

marginalized populations—and impede the development 

of effective policy; 

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

ovarian cancer have a hereditary predisposition to ovarian cancer, which places them at even higher risk; 

Whereas scientists and physicians have uncovered changes in 

the BRCA genes that some women inherit from their 

parents, which may make those women 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 a woman’s 

risk of developing ovarian cancer, and medical experts believe that family history should be taken into consideration during the annual well-woman visit of any woman; 

Whereas women who know that they are at high risk of ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures to help 

reduce the risk of developing the disease; 

Whereas guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive 

Cancer Network and Society of Gynecologic Oncology 

recommend that all individuals diagnosed with ovarian 

cancer receive genetic counseling and genetic testing, regardless of their family history; 


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•SRES 367 IS 

Whereas studies consistently show that compliance with those 

guidelines is alarmingly low, with recently published research funded by the National Cancer Institute finding 

that in 2013 and 2014, only 1⁄3 of ovarian cancer survivors have undergone such testing; 

Whereas, according to a 2016 consensus report by the National Academy of Medicine, ‘‘there remain surprising 

gaps in the fundamental knowledge about and understanding of ovarian cancer’’ across all aspects of the disease; 

Whereas ongoing investments in research, education, and 

awareness efforts relating to ovarian cancer are critical to 

closing those gaps and improving survivorship for women 

with ovarian cancer; 

Whereas, each year during the month of September, Ovarian 

Cancer Research Alliance and its community partners 

hold a number of events to increase public awareness of 

ovarian cancer and its symptoms; and 

Whereas September 2021 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 2021 as ‘‘National 

3 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’’; and 

4 (2) supports the goals and ideals of National 

5 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

Æ 


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