H.R. No. 599



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Ovarian cancer, the fourth most common cause of 
fatal cancer in the United States, is one of the most serious 
threats to women's health across our state and nation; and
	WHEREAS, This dire disease causes more deaths than any other 
cancer of the female reproductive system; ovarian cancer is 
treatable, but only when it is detected before spreading beyond the 
ovaries, and at this stage the five-year survival rate can be almost 
93 percent; and
	WHEREAS, Unfortunately, there is no current screening test 
for the early detection of ovarian cancer; therefore, increased 
public awareness about the disease, its risk factors, and its 
subtle symptoms is important for saving lives; and
	WHEREAS, It is of paramount importance that women and their 
doctors learn to recognize the warning signs, which are often the 
only early indication of illness; increased awareness of the 
symptoms and risk factors will greatly enhance chances of early 
detection and survival; and
	WHEREAS, Inspired by and in memory of Carolyn Mierl, Donna 
Rossi, and Linda Manning, three mothers who lost their battles with 
the disease, the Central Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston 
divisions of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition are promoting 
ovarian cancer awareness activities during the month of September 
2003 and are encouraging every woman in Texas to become 
knowledgeable about the symptoms and risk factors of the disease; 
and
	WHEREAS, Increased ovarian cancer research will undoubtedly 
help to develop reliable diagnostics, improved therapies, and 
prevention strategies, thereby offering women the opportunity to 
better fight and overcome this deadliest of all gynecological 
cancers; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize September 2003 as Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month in the State of Texas and encourage Texans to seek 
out information about this serious health concern.

                                                                            Luna

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 599 was adopted by the House on May 
23, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House