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Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Page: 2160

Teal Ribbon Day

Debate resumed on motion by Ms Hall:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) 29 February 2012 marks Teal Ribbon Day, which:

   (i) is part of the month long national campaign throughout February to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer; and

   (ii) aims to raise awareness among Australian women of the symptoms of ovarian cancer;

(b) more than 1200 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, and one in 77 will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime;

(2) notes with concern that:

(a) the prognosis for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is generally poor due to the advanced stage of most ovarian cancers at the time of diagnosis; and

(b) over 800 women will lose their battle with ovarian cancer each year, equivalent to one woman every 11 hours;

(3) acknowledges that there is no screening program or detection test for ovarian cancer, and that the Pap smear will not detect the disease;

(4) recognises that:

(a) ovarian cancer is not a silent disease and that all women experience symptoms, even in the early stages of the cancer; and

(b) the four most common symptoms are:

   (i) abdominal or pelvic pain;

   (ii) increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating;

   (iii) needing to urinate often or urgently; and

   (iv) difficulty eating or feeling full quickly;

(5) understands that every Australian woman needs to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer; and

(6) asks all Members to show their support by wearing a teal ribbon on Teal Ribbon Day.