Bill Summary
The resolution calls for the designation of September 2025 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" to increase public awareness of ovarian cancer, which is a significant health issue affecting women in the United States. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women, with a lifetime diagnosis risk of about 1 in 91. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, such as an estimated 20,890 new cases and 12,730 deaths from ovarian cancer in 2025, with a notably low 5-year survival rate of 51.6% for those diagnosed at advanced stages.
The resolution emphasizes the absence of a reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer and the importance of recognizing its vague symptoms, which can lead to delayed diagnoses. It also addresses disparities in healthcare access, particularly among Black women and marginalized groups, who face higher mortality rates and barriers to quality care. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for increased awareness and education on genetic predispositions to ovarian cancer and the importance of genetic testing.
By designating September 2025 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the resolution aims to promote awareness, improve early detection, and support research and education initiatives to enhance survivorship and treatment outcomes for women affected by this disease.
Possible Impacts
The resolution to designate September 2025 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" could affect people in several ways, including:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The designation would likely lead to heightened public awareness about ovarian cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors. This could empower women to recognize early signs and seek medical advice sooner, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and better treatment outcomes. Educational campaigns may also target specific populations, such as women of color or those with a family history of the disease, who are at higher risk.
2. **Advocacy for Research and Funding**: The resolution may foster increased advocacy for research funding and resources dedicated to ovarian cancer. With a focus on the need for better detection methods and treatment options, there could be a push from both the public and policymakers for more federal investment in ovarian cancer research. This could lead to advancements in understanding and combating the disease.
3. **Support for Affected Women and Communities**: By promoting awareness events and initiatives, the resolution can help create support networks for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and their families. This could include resources for genetic testing, counseling, and treatment options, particularly for underserved communities that face barriers to accessing quality care. Increased visibility of the issue might also encourage community organizations to provide assistance and support to those affected by ovarian cancer.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 775 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 775
Supporting the designation of September 2025 as ``National Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 30, 2025
Ms. DeLauro (for herself and Mr. Bacon) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation of September 2025 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 about 1 in 91;
Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates 20,890 cases of ovarian cancer
will be newly diagnosed in 2025, and 12,730 individuals will die from
the disease nationwide;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 51.6 percent, and
survival rates vary greatly depending on the stage of diagnosis;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is over 90 percent for
individuals diagnosed in early stages;
Whereas, while the mammogram can detect breast cancer and the 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 Black women have a 5-year ovarian cancer mortality rate of 62 percent,
while the 5-year ovarian cancer mortality rate is 54 percent for White
women;
Whereas women of color, low-income women, and women living in rural areas have
more barriers to accessing a standard quality of care and are more
likely to receive care at a facility that has poorer adherence to
National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment guidelines;
Whereas the proportion of ovarian cancer cases in women serving on Active Duty
who are less than 45 years of age is substantially greater than in the
general population;
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 quicker diagnoses and more treatment
opportunities;
Whereas the lack of an early detection test for ovarian cancer combined with its
vague symptoms mean that approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian
cancer are detected at an advanced stage;
Whereas issues collecting and reporting data on treatment and outcomes related
to ovarian cancer risk, especially for underserved communities and
marginalized populations, can 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 her 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 those women who have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer should
consider genetic testing and counseling to determine whether their risk
of developing a heritable cancer is elevated;
Whereas women who know that they are at high risk of ovarian cancer may
undertake prophylactic measures like an opportunistic salpingectomy to
help reduce the risk of developing this disease;
Whereas guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the
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 these guidelines is
alarmingly low, with recently published National Cancer Institute-funded
research finding that in 2013 and 2014, only one-third 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 ovarian cancer research remains underfunded relative to its mortality
rate, making increased Federal investment critical to progress;
Whereas ongoing investments in ovarian cancer research and education and
awareness efforts are critical to closing these gaps and improving
survivorship for women with ovarian cancer;
Whereas, each year during the month of September, the Ovarian Cancer Research
Alliance and community partner organizations hold a number of events to
increase public awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms; and
Whereas September 2025 should be designated as ``National Ovarian Cancer
Awareness Month'' to increase public awareness of ovarian cancer: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``National Ovarian Cancer
Awareness Month''; and
(2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Month''.
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