Inova Fairfax Hospital Physician Takes Fight Against Cancer to Capitol Hill

Falls Church, VA – (June 29, 2011) – John C. Elkas, MD, gynecologic oncologist, Inova Fairfax Hospital, was on Capitol Hill last week to push for funding for ovarian cancer research. On June 22, Dr. Elkas presented testimony before the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee regarding funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program in Ovarian Cancer (OCRP).

“DoD OCRP is able to facilitate collaboration between civilian and military research programs,” said Dr. Elkas. “Because the military is involved in research performed at civilian health facilities nationwide, the DoD OCRP is able to share successes and assist in raising the standard of care for both military and civilian populations, lowering the incidence, mortality and burden of this cancer, while in turn reducing the economic drain on society.”

Dr. Elkas spoke on behalf of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. He was joined by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to urge the Subcommittee to maintain federal funding for the OCRP at $20 million for FY 2012.

Dr. Elkas shared with the Subcommittee the impact of the research from the DoD OCRP on women and their families. “It is through this type of research funding that a screening and early detection method for ovarian cancer can be identified which will allow us to save many of the 14,000 lives that are lost to this disease each year.”

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.