Johanna's Law, also known as "Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act," promotes the education of women to increase awareness of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....

, its risk factors and symptoms. Often, ovarian cancer is far advanced before detection. Increased awareness could lead to earlier detection and reduced morbidity, and could save lives. Senators Arlen Specter

Arlen Specter

Arlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...

 and Tom Harkin

Tom Harkin

Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....

 introduced the Bill in the Senate on June 6, 2005. Senator Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...

 co-sponored it. It passed both Houses of Congress unanimously and was signed into law on January 12, 2007 by George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

. It was named for a school teacher, Johanna Silver Gordon, who died of ovarian cancer.

External links

• HR 1245, "Johanna's Law".