Senate Joint Resolution 55, sponsored by Briggs, recognizes September 2025 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the significant impact of ovarian cancer, which is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States, with a lifetime diagnosis risk of approximately 1 in 78. It notes the estimated 20,890 new cases and 12,740 deaths from ovarian cancer in 2025, including 380 new cases and 300 deaths in Tennessee. The resolution emphasizes the importance of early detection, as the five-year survival rate is over ninety percent for early-stage diagnoses, yet many cases are detected at advanced stages due to vague symptoms and a lack of early detection tests.

The resolution also addresses disparities in healthcare access, particularly for women of color, low-income women, and those in rural areas, who face barriers to receiving quality care. It calls for increased public awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, which can often be mistaken for other conditions, and supports the recommendation that all individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer receive genetic counseling and testing, regardless of family history. The resolution aims to promote education and awareness to improve early detection and treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer.