Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today, approved by voice vote, a resolution introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa highlighting the simple but important message for women for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) in September:

 

Get to know your family history.

Conduct a cancer risk assessment.

Ask questions:  educate yourself about gynecologic cancers.

Make an appointment for an annual gynecologic exam and screening test.

 

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation first declared September as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) in 1999.  Each September GCF embarks upon an intensive educational program to reach women with the important GCAM message.

 

Every seven minutes a woman is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer.  In 2006, over 77,000 women will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and over 27,000 women will die.  The most common gynecologic cancers include cancer of the ovaries, cervix and uterus. 

 

Too many women are dying because they were diagnosed too late.  Education and early detection are the keys to saving women’s lives and reducing these statistics.  If diagnosed in the early stages, the 5-year survivability rates are as high as 95%.

 

“By simply educating women about these cancers, we have an opportunity to save lives,” said Issa whose current Legislative Director, Paige Anderson, was diagnosed with cervical cancer two years ago and was recently declared cancer free.

 

“I’m so pleased the House of Representatives passed this resolution to recognize September and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and to honor the 15^th anniversary of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.  Any opportunity to raise awareness on this deadly cancer is an opportunity to save a woman’s life.”

 

For more information about gynecologic cancers, including information about a risk assessment, visit http://www.wcn.org/.

 

 

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