Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) February 2013 is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month,

(ii) Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is run each year by Ovarian Cancer Australia with its purpose 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) Wednesday, 27 February 2013 is Ovarian Cancer Australia's Teal Ribbon Day, a day when Australians are invited to purchase and wear a teal ribbon to show support for ovarian cancer awareness, support and research, and to recognise those affected;

(b) recognises that:

(i) according to Ovarian Cancer Australia, one in 77 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime,

(ii) each year, more than 1 200 Australia women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and around 800 will die from the disease, equating to an average of 3 Australian women being diagnosed every day, and

(iii) early detection of ovarian cancer is key, as detection in the early stages increases the percentage to up to 95 per cent of women being alive and well after 5 years; and

(c) commends Ovarian Cancer Australia for the work that they have done in raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to reduce the impact on Australians of ovarian cancer.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wanted to take this opportunity to remember for a moment the late Senator Jeannie Ferris. She was the Government Whip when I first came into the Senate, and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2005. She fought a very brave battle, which she lost in 2007. During that period she took the opportunity to move for an inquiry into gynaecological cancers in Australia, and as a result of that report, which recommended more funding for these cancers, awareness was raised. In the spirit of Senator Cash's motion, it points out that early diagnosis is a critical component and I wanted to remember the late Senator Ferris's efforts in raising awareness, in that very difficult time in her life, of the importance of early diagnosis.

Question agreed to.