HR33 HD1

WHEREAS, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women and accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system; and

WHEREAS, statistics show that when ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, the chance for a cure is much greater; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 22,430 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2007 in the United States and an estimated 15,280 deaths from this disease; and

WHEREAS, only 19 percent of ovarian cancers are discovered before they have spread outside the ovaries; and

WHEREAS, in the past, ovarian cancer was known as a silent killer, but modern research has shown that perception to be incorrect; and

WHEREAS, a joint statement released in June of 2007 by the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, states that recent medical studies show identifiable symptoms often do exist for ovarian cancer, even in the early stages; and

WHEREAS, the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer have been identified as:

(1) Bloating;

(2) Pelvic or abdominal pain;

(3) Trouble eating or feeling full quickly; and

(4) Urinary symptoms, such as urgent or frequent feelings of needing to go;

and

WHEREAS, medical experts recommend that while these same symptoms are known to occur with many different types of illnesses, if there is an unusual occurrence or frequency of occurrences, or if they last for more than a few weeks, they should prompt a woman to see a doctor, preferably a gynecologist; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body hereby acknowledges the month of September as National Ovarian Cancer Month and Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that primary health care providers and cancer organizations are urged to develop and implement educational strategies to inform women of the common symptoms of ovarian cancer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Director of the American Cancer Society - Hawaii Pacific, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Ovarian Cancer; Awareness of Common Symptoms

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	33
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII