H.R. 3438,“Johanna’s Law:

The Gynecologic Cancer Education & Awareness Act”

Introduced by Congressman Sander Levin(D-MI) and Congresswoman Kay Granger(R-TX)

Why the bill is needed:

Early detection is the key to successful treatment of gynecologic cancers. The five-year survival rates for the most common gynecologic cancers are 90 percent when diagnosed in stage one or stage two, but the survival rates drop to 50 percent or lower for cancers diagnosed later. (see back of page for survival rates)

Most gynecologic cancers do not yet have a reliable screening test that can be used for the general population. Although lab tests can help specialists decide whether more invasive tests are needed, for all gynecologic cancers except cervical cancer, surgery is still required to confirm the presence of cancer.

Most women are still unaware of their risk factors and the early symptoms of gynecologic cancers, which can easily be confused with common gastrointestinal illnesses, menopause, or perimenopause.

The bill would authorize a national gynecologic cancer early detection and awareness campaign directed at women and their physicians.

Bill Summary:

1. National Public Service Announcement. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, working with the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control, will develop and place a Public Service Announcement describing risk factors and symptoms and encouraging women to talk to their doctors about their risk of gynecological cancers. As part of the national campaign, HHS will develop a standard brochure with information about gynecologic cancer and make it easily available to the public.

2. Grants to Local and National Organizations. HHS will award demonstration grants to local and national non-profits to test different outreach and education strategies, including strategies directed at physicians, families, and women themselves. Priority would be given to groups with demonstrated expertise in gynecologic cancer education, treatment, or in working with groups of women who are at especially high risk. The proposals should establish linkage with physicians, hospitals, payers, and state health departments. The Centers for Disease Control, in consultation with the National Cancer Institute, would review proposals and educational messages for medical accuracy.

Cost:Authorizes $70 million over three years, subject to annual appropriations. ($15 million for the PSA and $55 million for the grants)

Action Needed: Ask your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 3438. Find a current list of co-sponsors at: . If your Representative is not yet a co-sponsor, fax or email his/her Washington, D.C. office and ask that he/she co-sponsor H.R.3438. Sample letters can be found on the Web sites of CONVERSATIONS at and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists at: . Letters can be sent directly to Congress from the SGO site. Follow up your letter with a call to the Representative’s D.C. office(Congressional switchboard: 202 225 3121). Ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant for Health (Health L.A.). Tell the L.A. you are calling to ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R.3438. Explain why the bill is needed. Reference any relevant personal facts.

Gynecologic Cancers: 5 Year Survival Rates

Definitions:

Local – malignant tumor confined to original organ

Regional – extended beyond original organ to surrounding organs and tissues, lymph nodes

Distant – extended to remote areas of body from original site

Ovarian Cancer – 25,400 new cases with 16,090 deaths expected this year

(only 25% of all cases diagnosed early)

All stages – 53%Local – 95% Regional – 81% Distant – 31%

Cervical Cancer – 12,200 new cases with 4,100 deaths expected this year

All stages – 71%Local – 92% Regional – 51% Distant – 15%

(Note: when diagnosed as pre-invasive lesion, nearly 100% survival)

Endometrial Cancer – 41,100 new cases with 6,800 deaths expected this year

All stages – 84%Local – 96% Regional – 64% Distant – 26%