Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005

GYNECOLOGIC CANCER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - November 14, 2006)

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Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this important piece of legislation. As we come to the close of the 109th Congress, many have used the term ``do-nothing Congress.'' This bill, certainly on a bipartisan basis, is a ``do-something bill.''

We have in this country for a very long time have had people, women in this case, dying needlessly of undiagnosed cancers. I want to thank Chairman Burton, Ranking Member JOHN DINGELL, his staff, and particularly my cosponsors, Mr. Levin very much in particular, who championed this bill in a previous Congress, and he and I worked together tirelessly with Congressman DAN BURTON, KAY GRANGER and ROSA DELAURO in this Congress to get bipartisan support. This bill has far more than half the Congress as cosponsors. It has been worked out, and we are very hopeful this will still become law in this Congress.

With that, I want to take no more time than to once again say that in this Congress there are some things we did as a bipartisan body that I am very proud of. This is one of them. And I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working so tirelessly to make this a reality

I rise today to urge support for my bill, H.R. 1245, ``the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005,'' otherwise known as ``Johanna's Law.''

Every seven minutes a woman is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. In 2005, over 80,000 women were diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and over 27,000 women died. The most common gynecologic cancers include cancer of the ovaries, cervix and uterus.

Too many women are dying because they were diagnosed too late. Education and early detection are the keys to saving women's lives and reducing these statistics. If diagnosed in the early stages, the 5-year survivability rates are as high as 95 percent.

Gynecologic cancers, when detected early, can often be prevented from becoming fatal. Since all women are at risk--no matter their ethnic background or socioeconomic status--it is critical that we find a way to inform women about the steps they can take to maintain their health.

Due to the private and intimate nature of these cancers, oftentimes women are uncomfortable or embarrassed discussing issues surrounding gynecologic cancers with friends and family. Thus, it is vital that we have a national dialogue to provide accurate and timely information to the public and the medical community.

By simply educating women about these cancers, we have an opportunity to save lives. The messages are simple: learn the symptoms, have an annual exam, know your family history and talk to your doctor. Unfortunately, most women do not know the signs or the symptoms surrounding gynecologic cancers. Thus, we need an aggressive national education and awareness program that brings together the appropriate federal agencies, the medical community, and the private sector. Passage of H.R. 1245 will help make this a reality.

There is a lot of excellent information provided by both the private and government sectors--specifically by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the National Cancer Institute--and I commend their efforts. Tragically, most women and families look at these Web sites or pamphlets after cancer is diagnosed. The information needs to get out before diagnosis of a gynecologic cancer.

Education and awareness is an appropriate federal role. Education, coupled with research on improved diagnostic tools and cures, will lead to reductions in cancer deaths. While science and research are needed for long term success, education and awareness can save lives now. Education empowers women to make the best choices regarding their health care.

Last year, I discovered first-hand how important early diagnosis and education can be. My Legislative Director, Paige Anderson, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She is one of the lucky ones--she stands here today as a cancer survivor. However, it was not until after diagnosis that she learned about HPV, cervical cancer and the importance of yearly pap smears and pelvic exams. Unfortunately, her story is not unique.

Paige's journey led me to work with Representatives Sander Levin, Dan Burton, Kay Granger, Rosa DeLauro and introduce H.R. 1245, ``the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005,'' which has 257 bipartisan cosponsors.

``Johanna's Law'' has afforded me the privilege and honor to meet and work with an amazing group of survivors, patients, doctors and families who have lost loved ones to these awful cancers.

As I've spoken and met with other Members and staff on H.R. 1245, it is surprising how little is known about gynecologic cancers. In fact, most do not know that a pap smear only helps diagnose cervical cancer. This test does not screen for uterine or ovarian cancer. Most do not know that there are early warning symptoms for ovarian cancer. This is why we need H.R. 1245, so we can fill the void that currently exists.

I would like to take this time to thank several people who have been instrumental in passing this bill. I greatly appreciate the time and effort that Chairman Barton and Ranking Member Dingell have spent on this bill. We could not have passed this bill without the help of Committee and Leadership staff on both sides of the aisle.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1245.

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