NJ Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Moved to September

Gov. Chris Christie has signed a bill into law making September ‘Ovarian cancer Awareness Month’ in the Garden State.  In New Jersey ovarian cancer was recognized in February.

“Ovarian cancer affects thousands of New Jersey women and their families every single year,” said Christie. “If detected early and treated properly, the survival rate for ovarian cancer increases more than 90 percent. Conforming with the nation’s observance of September as ‘National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’ will increase awareness of ovarian cancer throughout New Jersey and help promote the importance of early detection and treatment to save lives.”

The legislation aimed at increasing awareness of ovarian cancer by coordinating awareness efforts on the state level with those on the national level was sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Assemblyman Dan Benson and Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt.

“Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because the symptoms are vague and non-specific,” said Greenwald. “Women and their physicians often attribute them to more common conditions so by the time the cancer is diagnosed the tumor has often spread. The best way to combat this is through awareness and that’s what we hope to accomplish with this new law.”

Often called the “silent disease” because of vague or subtle symptoms, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women and is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in New Jersey and the United States, affecting women from all walks of life. More than 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, and more than 14,000 die from the disease each year.