[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53541-53542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26835]
[[Page 53539]]
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Part IV
The President
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Proclamation 7130--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1998
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 1998 /
Presidential Documents
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Title 3--
The President
[[Page 53541]]
Proclamation 7130 of October 1, 1998
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1998
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
For the millions of us who have lost loved ones to
breast cancer, this annual observance brings with it
both sorrow and hope--sorrow that medical breakthroughs
came too late to save a beloved relative or friend, and
hope that new efforts in research, prevention, and
treatment will protect other families from suffering
the impact of this devastating disease. Recent declines
in the rate of breast cancer deaths among American
women reflect the progress we have made in early
detection and improved treatment. But it is urgent that
we continue to build on that progress. This year alone,
another 180,000 cases of breast cancer will be
diagnosed, and some 44,000 women will die from the
disease.
We are waging America's crusade against breast cancer
on many fronts. Spearheading the effort is the National
Action Plan on Breast Cancer (NAPBC)--the product of a
conference convened by Secretary of Health and Human
Services (HHS) Donna Shalala that included advocates,
women with breast cancer, their families, clinicians,
researchers, members of Congress, educators, and the
media. The NAPBC is helping to coordinate the national
response to breast cancer by fostering communication,
cooperation, and collaboration among experts both
inside and outside of the Government.
The lead Government agency conducting breast cancer
research and control programs is the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) at HHS. By developing an index of genes
involved in breast and other cancers, the NCI is
improving our understanding of the disease at the
molecular level. Research into the relationship between
breast cancer and genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 is
helping us to better comprehend how the disease
develops, allowing researchers to understand more
precisely the risk of breast cancer caused by mutations
in these genes. The most encouraging advance thus far
in prevention research came from the landmark Breast
Cancer Prevention Trial. This study, a national
clinical trial sponsored by the NCI, found that women
at high risk for breast cancer reduced that risk by
taking the drug tamoxifen, demonstrating that breast
cancer can actually be prevented. The NCI is now
developing an educational program to help physicians
and patients decide who should consider taking
tamoxifen.
Researchers are also making advances in breast cancer
treatment and have found ways to combine chemotherapy
drugs to make treatment more effective for patients
whose cancer has spread. Drugs have also been developed
to alleviate some of the side effects of chemotherapy.
But these breakthroughs in cancer research and
treatment can only help if women are informed about
them. During this month, I invite all Americans to take
part in our national effort to save lives. Let us join
together to make sure that women and their families
hear the message about the importance of screening and
early detection, receive recommended screening
mammograms, and have access to appropriate treatment.
We have won important battles in our war on breast
cancer, and we have cause to celebrate; nevertheless,
we must remain focused on gaining the ultimate
victory--an America free from breast cancer.
[[Page 53542]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim October 1998 as National
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government
officials, businesses, communities, health care
professionals, educators, volunteers, and all the
people of the United States to publicly reaffirm our
Nation's strong and continuing commitment to
controlling and curing breast cancer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 98-26835
Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
