Every 6.4 minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with a form of gynecologic cancer such as ovarian or uterine cancer. This year, 28,000 American women are expected to die from these cancers. In the last ten years alone, over 250,000 of our mothers, sisters,and other loved ones and friends have lost their lives to these diseases. In 2000, my wonderful sister Johanna was lost to ovarian cancer.

This national tragedy is magnified by the fact that the most common gynecologic cancers --- ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer --- have 5-year survival rates of 90 percent or greater when diagnosed at the earliest stage. A diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence.

Johanna Silver Gordon

Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act aims to change this deadly status quo. By creating a federal campaign of gynecologic cancer education, Johanna’s Law is designed to improve early detection and save lives. Endorsed by organizations representing over 300,000 physicians, nurses, cancer survivors and women at risk, Johanna’s Law was sponsored in the House by Representatives Sander Levin(D-MI), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CN), and Kay Granger (R-TX) and in the Senate by Arlen Specter(R-PA) and Tom Harkin(D-IA). First introduced during the 108^th Congress, Johanna’s Law ultimately passed both the U.S. House and Senate by unanimous consent (UC) in the closing hours of the 109^th Congress. It was signed into law by President Bush on January 12, 2007.

Johanna’s Law is named for my sister Johanna Silver Gordon, a dynamic woman and former schoolteacher, who lost her life to ovarian cancer despite being a health conscious woman who visited the gynecologist regularly. Sadly, Johanna did not know the symptoms of ovarian cancer until AFTER being diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease. Not knowing the symptoms contributed to a lengthy ---and ultimately lethal --- delay in her diagnosis. Tragically, Johanna’s story of delayed diagnosis is all too common. Thousands of women in the U.S. each year are stunned not only to be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer --- but to learn that symptoms they experienced in the months prior to their diagnoses were common symptoms of these cancers, but they hadn’t known it. The problem is particularly common --- and deadly --- with ovarian cancer where a pervasive lack of knowledge about symptoms commonly leads to lengthy delays in diagnosis. Plus women are frequently misdiagnosed with benign conditions before the correct diagnosis is made.

I proposed Johanna’s Law in late 2002 to end this tragic status quo that has led to so much needless suffering and death. By educating America’s women about gynecologic cancer symptoms and risk factors, Johanna’s Law can help women experiencing symptoms seek appropriate medical help quickly, increasing the potential for earlier detection. Plus, armed with these facts, women possessing known risk factors can take steps to lower their risk for these cancers.  

Thanks to the determined efforts of gynecologic cancer survivors, family members, and health professionals nationwide, and the commitment of the bill’s sponsors and their staff members, Johanna’s Law attracted bi-partisan co-sponsorship from 300 Members of the U.S. House and Senate before passing in both chambers by unanimous consent.   

We must now make sure this long overdue legislation is funded quickly so it can achieve its full potential. Please help us achieve that goal by staying abreast of updates and “Action Alerts” to be posted in coming weeks on this Website and the sites of other groups that have endorsed Johanna’s Law (e.g. Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Conversations, Force, etc.)  

For tips on contacting Congress, click here.

To learn what organizations have endorsed Johanna’s Law, click here.

For a summary of Johanna’s Law and reasons why it’s needed, click here.

To learn more about Johanna’s cancer experience, click here.

DISCLAIMER This Website is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering specific medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem or are at risk for a disease, you should consult your health care provider immediately.