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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 31, 2015 03:09 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month |
| Every year, almost 22,000 American women are diagnosed with Ovarian cancer, and more than 14,000 die from it. It is the ninth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of cancer death for them. Because there is no adequate screening test and the symptoms often are subtle and easily confused with other ailments, most cases reach at least Stage 3, meaning it already has spread to lymph nodes and beyond the pelvis, before it is detected. Typically, women in their fifties and sixties, with a median age of 63, are affected and many of them have the BRCA mutation gene or a family history of ovarian cancer, but every woman is at risk regardless of her age, heritage or medical history. The hopeful news is that early detection greatly increases the chances for successful treatment, with a 93% five-year survival rate for early diagnosis and treatment. Because education and awareness and education therefore are critical factors, I will be offering a resolution recognizing September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I hope you will join with me. |
Introduced as SR189