DeLauro, Israel Introduce Resolution in Honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
DeLauro, Israel Introduce Resolution in Honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
WASHINGTON DCU.S. Representatives Steve Israel (NY-02) and Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), an ovarian cancer survivor, today introduced a House resolution to recognize September as ovarian cancer awareness month. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths and is one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
"As co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus, I am proud to have worked with Congresswoman DeLauro and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in expressing Congressional support for ovarian cancer awareness," noted Congressman Israel. "Until we have a screening test, awareness of this disease is the best defense we have in saving women's lives."
"I have suffered from this deadly disease and know firsthand that early recognition is one of the best forms of prevention," said DeLauro. "Increasing awareness of ovarian cancer is one of the few options available to women until a reliable early screening procedure is developed."
Currently, there is no reliable early screening test available to American women; so seventy five percent of cases are detected at an advanced stage. The five-year survival rate of ovarian cancer is only fifty percent, a much lower rate than for many other forms of cancer.
Both Israel and DeLauro are cosponsors of Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005. The legislation seeks to increase awareness of gynecologic cancers, including ovarian.
In 2002, Rep. Israel sponsored and passed, by a unanimous vote, legislation that calls on the federal government to accelerate research and require insurance of promising new technologies leading to the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. If proven valid, these new technologies could diagnose ovarian cancer in its early stages, when survival rates are 95 percent at stage one diagnosis, instead of the 20 percent at stage four.
Throughout September, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance hosted numerous events to increase awareness of ovarian cancer.
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/September/ovarian_cancer_09_29_05.html