The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005"

Usually, I don't post much about Congressional bills. But a few months ago my friend Carol died of Ovarian Cancer. Anyway...

ACT NOW! SUPPORT H.R. 1245
"Johanna's Law:
The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005"

Nilak Butler, a founding mother of the Indigneous Women’s Network and founding council member and staff of Indigenous Environmental Network, died of advanced ovarian cancer in December of 2002. Nilak’s disease was initially misdiagnosed­twice. Her experience tragically mirrors the experience of most women suffering from gynecologic cancers. That’s because there is a general lack of education and awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian and other women’s cancers. When it comes to women’s reproductive issues, complaints are often dismissed or ignored.

A new bill before the House of Representatives called “Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Education and Awareness Act of 2005” will significantly increase funding for public education and awareness of gynecologic cancers, including ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers. The legislation is aimed at increasing the knowledge of women about gynecologic cancers, and knowledge of symptoms is key to early detection and diagnosis.

According to the American Cancer Society, gynecologic cancers will affect approximately 79,480 women and take 28,910 lives this year alone. Every effort to educate women about the signs and symptoms of these cancers will help save women’s lives.

Please help by calling for passage of Johanna’s Law. Contact your Representative and urge them to support the bill. A sample letter and other materials can be found at: www.sgo.org/policy/johannaslaw.cfm

Nilak Butler, in talking about the overall diagnostic negligence of gynecologic cancers, asked her friends and family to take a stand. “Women are not disposable,” she said. This is an opportunity for us to take that stand.

For further info go to http://www.ienearth.org/nilak_butler.html