Bill Text: MS HC77 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; acknowledge during September 2017.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC77 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HC77-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Horan, Bain, Baria, Hood, Johnson (87th), Lamar, Oliver, Touchstone
House Concurrent Resolution 77
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND OBSERVING SEPTEMBER 2017 AS "NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" AND ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI TO COMMEMORATE ITS OBSERVANCE DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2017.
WHEREAS, ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers and is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, approximately 21,290 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed, and approximately 14,180 women died of ovarian cancer in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not significantly decreased since the War on Cancer was declared more than 40 years ago; and
WHEREAS, 25 percent of women will die within one year of diagnosis with ovarian cancer and over 50 percent will die within five years; and
WHEREAS, while there is the mammogram to detect breast cancer and the Pap smear to detect cervical cancer, tragically, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer; and
WHEREAS, the lack of an early detection test means that approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at an advanced stage; and
WHEREAS, all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and approximately 20 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary predisposition to ovarian cancer, which places them at even higher risk; and
WHEREAS, scientists and physicians have uncovered changes in the BRCA genes that some women inherit from their parents, which may make them 30 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer; and
WHEREAS, the family history of a woman has been found to play an important role in accurately assessing the risk of that woman developing ovarian cancer and medical experts believe that family history should be taken into consideration during the annual well woman visit of any woman; and
WHEREAS, many experts in health prevention now recommend genetic testing for young women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer; and
WHEREAS, women who know they are at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer may undertake prophylactic measures to help reduce the risk of developing these diseases; and
WHEREAS, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology now recommends that all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer receive counseling and genetic testing; and
WHEREAS, many people are 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 symptoms that are easily confused with other diseases; and
WHEREAS, awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by women and health care providers can lead to a quicker diagnosis; and
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 the symptoms; and
WHEREAS, each year during the month of September, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and partner members hold a number of events to increase public awareness of ovarian cancer; and
WHEREAS, the people of Mississippi acknowledge the necessity of raising awareness for ovarian cancer so that women may know the signs of the disease and understand the importance of recognizing the symptoms and firmly believe that it is fitting and proper to designate and observe the month of September 2017, as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month":
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and observe September 2017, as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" and encourage the citizens of Mississippi to commemorate its observance during the month of September 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the Governor of Mississippi, the Secretary of State of Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
