[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
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  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