Dear Senator,

As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor S.1172, Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act. Recently introduced by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and co-sponsored by Senators Hillary Clinton, George Allen, Tom Harkin, Barak Obama, James Talent and others, Johanna’s Law has been endorsed by organizations representing over 250,000 physicians, nurses, and cancer survivors. Named after a health conscious woman who lost her life to ovarian cancer, Johanna’s Law will create a federal campaign of gynecologic cancer education designed to improve early detection and save lives. This group of cancers will kill nearly 30,000 American women this year. Over 125,000 women in the U.S. have died from them in just the last 5 years!

Johanna’s Law is needed because most women do not know the risk factors and symptoms of gynecologic cancers. These symptoms, which can include persistent abdominal bloating, heartburn and constipation, are often confused with those of common gastrointestinal illnesses, menopause or perimenopause. The lack of knowledge about symptoms commonly contributes to delays in diagnosis and treatment, delays that too often prove deadly. When diagnosed in the earliest stage, the most common gynecologic cancers have 5-year survival rates greater than 90 percent. When detected in later stages, as these cancers so often are, survival rates are far lower.

Johanna’s Law can eliminate the information gap that has led to so much needless suffering and death. It can provide the facts that will help women experiencing symptoms seek appropriate medical attention sooner. Plus women will know enough to make sure these cancers are considered early as a possible cause of their symptoms, not months later, as so often happens now.

Sincerely,