Title: A resolution designating September 2021 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates September 2021 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and expresses support for its goals and ideals.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 367 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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;
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 non-Black 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;
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;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 2021 as ``National Ovarian Cancer 
        Awareness Month''; and
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Ovarian 
        Cancer Awareness Month.
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