Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths of women in the United States, and it causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society estimates that 21,010 cases of ovarian cancer will be newly diagnosed in 2026 and that 12,450 individuals will die from the disease nationwide, including 100 new cases and 70 deaths in Maine; and

WHEREAS, many people are unaware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which can often include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, urinary issues, and several more that are easily confused with other diseases; and

WHEREAS, the lack of an early detection test for ovarian cancer combined with its vague symptoms means that approximately 80 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at an advanced stage; and

WHEREAS, all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but approximately 20 percent of women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary predisposition to the disease which places them at even higher risk; and

WHEREAS, the family history of a woman has been found to play an important role in accurately assessing their risk of developing ovarian cancer, and medical experts believe that family history should be taken into consideration during the annual well-woman visit of any woman; and

WHEREAS, ongoing investments in ovarian cancer research and education and awareness efforts are critical to closing these gaps and improving survivorship for women with ovarian cancer;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused

the Great Seal of the State to be

hereunto affixed GIVEN under my

hand at Augusta this twenty seventh
of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six