David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Cash, I indicate that I will be adding the name of Senator Waters to the motion. I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) February 2015 marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month,

(ii) Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is run every year by Ovarian Cancer Australia and its purpose is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to offer support for the women, their families and friends affected by ovarian cancer, and

(iii) Teal Ribbon Day is commemorated on Wednesday, 25 February 2015, and is a day when all Australians are invited to wear a teal ribbon to show support for ovarian cancer awareness, support and research;

(b) recognises that:

(i) ovarian cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed gynaecological cancers in Australia, with more than 1 300 Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, which equates to almost four women each day,

(ii) ovarian cancer has a low survival rate compared to other women's cancers, with more than two thirds of ovarian cancers being advanced at the time of diagnosis and therefore being difficult to treat,

(iii) there are no screening tests for ovarian cancer that provide early detection and many Australian men and women remain unaware of the symptoms of this insidious disease, and

(iv) from 2000 to 2014, the National Health and Medical Research Council allocated over $97 million in funding for research into ovarian cancer, and over $11 million is to be allocated in 2015 to 2018; and

(c) commends Ovarian Cancer Australia for its continuing efforts to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and to provide support to those Australians affected by ovarian cancer.

Question agreed to.