[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18537-18538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9064]
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[[Page 18535]]
Part IX
The President
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Proclamation 6783--Cancer Control Month
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 1995 /
Presidential Documents
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Title 3--
The President
[[Page 18537]]
Proclamation 6783 of April 7, 1995
Cancer Control Month, 1995
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Almost all of us have been touched by the devastating
effects of cancer. In its many forms, cancer has been
one of the most persistent and deadly health problems
of this century. With the coming of spring--a time of
rebirth--it is especially appropriate for us to renew
our commitment to fighting cancer, to take pride in the
progress we have made in combatting this disease, and
to recognize the work still to be done.
In the 24 years since the signing of the National
Cancer Act, we have made significant strides against
cancer. Through diligent research, we have identified
major risk factors for the disease--including diet,
lack of exercise, and smoking--and we have worked to
educate Americans to minimize these risks in their
lives. New approaches to treatment have been developed
in recent years, and new medicines are continually
being refined and tested.
Among women in the United States who develop cancer,
lung cancer claims the most lives, followed closely by
breast cancer. An estimated 1 in 8 women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their
lives--up from 1 in 20 just two decades ago. In this
decade, an estimated 2 million women will be diagnosed
with breast cancer or cervical cancer, with more than
500,000 of these women dying as a result. Cancers of
the uterus, ovaries, and colon are also on the rise
among women in this country.
We are making progress, however. For example, from 1989
to 1992, the numbers of women dying from breast cancer
actually declined--the largest short-term decrease
since 1950. With the advances in treatment upon early
detection, screening mammography has never been more
important. My Administration is launching a nationwide
campaign to increase awareness of Medicare coverage for
screening mammography. Additionally, most States now
have laws requiring private insurers to offer coverage
for biannual screening mammography, and third-party
reimbursement is increasing. Together, these measures
are helping more women to benefit from this potentially
life-saving procedure.
Remarkable progress has also been made against
childhood cancers as a result of the unflagging
persistence of researchers in laboratories and
hospitals across the country. Although the number of
children affected by cancer is increasing, the number
of deaths from childhood cancer continues to drop
dramatically. Improved diagnostic and prognostic
techniques and important advances in treatment have
given renewed hope to children with leukemia, Wilms'
tumor, neuroblastoma, and brain tumors. We are seeing a
steady increase in the number of adult survivors of
these childhood cancers.
Every one of us has a part to play in the fight against
this disease and much work remains to eradicate it.
Continuing research is essential to reducing the
incidence of cancer for all our citizens.
In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a
joint resolution requesting the President to issue an
annual proclamation declaring April as ``Cancer Control
Month.''
[[Page 18538]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month
of April 1995 as Cancer Control Month. I invite the
Governors of the 50 States and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and
the appropriate officials of all other areas under the
American flag to issue similar proclamations. I also
ask health care professionals, private industry,
community groups, insurance companies, and all other
interested organizations and individual citizens to
unite in support of our Nation's determined efforts to
control cancer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-five, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
nineteenth.
(Presidential Sig.)>
[FR Doc. 95-9064
Filed 4-7-95; 4:41 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P
