Karis Way

Random thoughts from Eagan, Minn.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Johanna’s Law

Johanna’s Law : The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act

Judith sent this letter regarding S.1172 Johanna’s Law to our two senators (Feingold and Kohl) to urge them to join as co-sponsors of the legislation:

Maybe you think doctors are already very knowledgeable about ovarian cancer. But they are not. We need Johanna’s Law. Now. Today.

I read a Jane Brody New York Times news story three and a half years, and realized that I had the symptoms of ovarian cancer. I asked my doctor, “How do you know if you have ovarian cancer?” His answer – “You don’t, and it’s fatal.”

That’s the problem. Doctors have not been properly educated about this disease. It is treatable, especially IF it is caught early. There are diagnoses and treatments: ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, surgery, chemotherapy, follow-up exams with pap smears and blood tests. It is not necessarily fatal. Gynecological oncologists (gyn-oncs) are experts, but many other physicians are not correctly educated.

Fortunately, I was diagnosed early with Stage 1A – microscopic ovarian cancer found within an ovarian cyst the size of a “Texas grapefruit.”

Those of us who have fought the disease and consider ourselves winners urge you, please, to jump on the bandwagon for Johanna’s Law. We want at least 50 senators today. Lives depend on it.

Sincerely,

Judith Larson

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