By Rangel H.R. No. 732 77R9840 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Ovarian cancer, which is the fourth most common 1-2 cause of fatal cancer in the United States, is one of the most 1-3 serious threats to women's health across our state and nation; and 1-4 WHEREAS, This dire disease causes more deaths than any other 1-5 cancer of the female reproductive system; ovarian cancer is 1-6 treatable, but only when it is detected before spreading beyond the 1-7 ovaries, and at this stage the five-year survival rate can be 1-8 almost 93 percent; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Unfortunately, there is currently no screening test 1-10 for the early detection of ovarian cancer; therefore, increased 1-11 public awareness about the disease, its risk factors, and its 1-12 subtle symptoms is important for saving lives; and 1-13 WHEREAS, It is of paramount importance that women and their 1-14 doctors learn to recognize the warning signs, which are often the 1-15 only early indication of illness; increased awareness of the 1-16 symptoms and risk factors will greatly enhance chances of early 1-17 detection and survival; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Inspired by and in the memory of Carolyn Mierl and 1-19 Donna Rossi, two mothers who lost their battle with the disease, 1-20 the Central Texas and Dallas/Fort Worth divisions of the National 1-21 Ovarian Cancer Coalition are promoting ovarian cancer awareness 1-22 activities during the month of September 2001 and are encouraging 1-23 every woman in Texas to become knowledgeable about the symptoms and 1-24 risk factors of the disease; and 2-1 WHEREAS, More ovarian cancer research will undoubtedly help 2-2 to develop reliable diagnostics, improved therapies, and prevention 2-3 strategies, thereby offering women the opportunity to better fight 2-4 and overcome this deadliest of all gynecological cancers; now, 2-5 therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby recognize September 2001 as Ovarian Cancer 2-8 Awareness Month in the State of Texas and encourage Texans to seek 2-9 out information about this serious health concern.