HRES 775119th CongressIn Committee

Supporting the designation of September 2025 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month".

Introduced: Sep 30, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (D-Connecticut)

Healthcare

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This resolution supports designating September 2025 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" to increase public awareness about ovarian cancer, its symptoms, and the importance of early detection. The resolution highlights the serious health threat posed by ovarian cancer, which is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States and the deadliest gynecologic cancer. It emphasizes the lack of reliable early detection tests, significant health disparities affecting Black women and other underserved populations, and the need for increased research funding and public education about symptoms and genetic risk factors.

Key Points

1An estimated 20,890 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in 2025, with 12,730 deaths expected nationwide
2The 5-year survival rate is 51.6% overall but exceeds 90% when detected early; however, approximately 80% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to vague symptoms and lack of early detection tests
3Black women face significantly worse outcomes, with a 62% 5-year mortality rate compared to 54% for White women, and experience more barriers to quality care
4Common symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms, which are often confused with other diseases
5About 20% of ovarian cancer cases involve hereditary predisposition, particularly BRCA gene mutations, making genetic testing and counseling important for high-risk women and all diagnosed patients

Impact Areas

Women's Health: Raises awareness about a deadly cancer affecting approximately 1 in 91 women during their lifetimeHealthcare Disparities: Highlights significant gaps in care quality and outcomes for Black women, women of color, low-income women, and rural populationsResearch and Funding: Emphasizes the need for increased federal investment in ovarian cancer research, which remains underfunded relative to its mortality rateMedical Community: Encourages healthcare providers to improve symptom recognition, family history assessment, and adherence to genetic testing guidelines for diagnosed patients

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 on Oct 2, 2025