III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 537 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness 

Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 1, 2012 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BENNET, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, 

Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. 

CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. KERRY, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. MORAN, Mr. 

SCHUMER, Mr. TESTER, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. WEBB, Mr. 

WHITEHOUSE, and Ms. MURKOWSKI) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer 

Awareness Month. 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic 

cancers; 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer 

deaths among women in the United States; 

Whereas approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed with 

ovarian cancer this year, and 15,500 will die from the 

disease; 

Whereas these deaths are those of our mothers, sisters, 

daughters, family members, and community leaders; 


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•SRES 537 ATS 

Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not significantly decreased since the ‘‘War on Cancer’’ was declared, more than 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 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 to ovarian cancer; 

Whereas, as of the date of agreement to this resolution, there 

is 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 breast-feeding; 

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; 


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•SRES 537 ATS 

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 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 2012 should be designated as ‘‘National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’’ to increase the 

awareness of the public regarding the 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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