Supporting the designation of September 2026 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1578 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1578

  Supporting the designation of September 2026 as ``National Ovarian 
                       Cancer Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2026

    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 2026 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 20,010 cases of ovarian cancer 
        will be newly diagnosed in 2026, and 12,450 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 exceeds 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 established to provide consistency in recognizing symptoms, 
        making them easier to identify and report;
Whereas Black women with ovarian cancer are more likely to receive late-stage 
        diagnoses, experience delayed or lower quality clinical care, and face 
        lower 5-year survival rates compared to non-Black women;
Whereas disparities in care persist, with Black women experiencing lower 
        survival rates than White women;
Whereas women of color, low-income women, and women living in rural areas face 
        systemic barriers to high-quality care and are less likely to receive 
        treatment adhering to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (referred to 
        in this preamble as the ``NCCN'') treatment guidelines;
Whereas the proportion of ovarian cancer cases in women serving on active duty 
        in the Armed Forces who are less than 45 years of age is substantially 
        greater than in the general population;
Whereas the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include bloating, pelvic or 
        abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, urinary 
        symptoms, and several other symptoms, are often vague and are often 
        easily misattributed to other diseases;
Whereas improved public and clinical awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms can 
        lead to earlier presentation, faster diagnostic evaluation, and expanded 
        treatment options;
Whereas the absence 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 gaps in 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 health 
        policies;
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 a salpingo-oophorectomy to help 
        reduce the risk of developing this disease;
Whereas guidelines issued by the NCCN 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 continue to show that many individuals diagnosed with ovarian 
        cancer do not receive recommended genetic counseling and testing;
Whereas, according to a 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 advances in precision medicine, genetic testing, targeted therapies, and 
        maintenance treatments have improved outcomes for many patients with 
        ovarian cancer, yet significant unmet needs remain, particularly in 
        early detection;
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 2026 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) 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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