[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 14603-14604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8254]




[[Page 14601]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 6875--Cancer Control Month, 1996

Proclamation 6876--Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 1996
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 14603]]

                Proclamation 6875 of March 29, 1996

                
Cancer Control Month, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Research and the prompt application of research results 
                have proved to be the strongest weapons we have against 
                cancer. And we are making great strides in the study of 
                this deadly disease. Indeed, the understanding of the 
                processes by which a normal cell is transformed into a 
                cancer cell is one of the great achievements of cancer 
                research. Genetic studies are leading to better 
                understanding of many cancers and improving our ability 
                to intervene and stop their spread. While the 
                implications of some findings are still unclear, we 
                know that further progress hinges on continued 
                scientific inquiry, and we understand that basic 
                research must remain a national priority. In addition, 
                all of us can act on information already at hand to 
                make lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of 
                developing cancer.

                Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in 
                the United States and contributed to nearly one-third 
                of all cancer deaths in our Nation last year. In 
                addition to causing 400,000 deaths, smoking left others 
                living with cancer, respiratory illness, heart disease, 
                and other illnesses. Despite the clear link between 
                smoking and these illnesses and deaths, each day 3,000 
                young Americans begin to smoke--a habit that will 
                shorten the lives of 1,000 of them. We must address 
                this problem. That is why the Food and Drug 
                Administration proposed ways to limit young people's 
                access to tobacco, as well as ways to limit the 
                advertising that is so appealing to our youth. That is 
                also why this Administration published the Synar 
                regulation--to ensure that States have and enforce laws 
                prohibiting sales of tobacco to young people.

                Scientific evidence has also led to an increased 
                understanding of the links between the foods we eat and 
                certain types of cancer. By reducing dietary fat, 
                increasing fiber intake, consuming a variety of fruits 
                and vegetables, and avoiding obesity, every American 
                can take steps to reduce the risk of cancer. The 
                National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the 
                food industry, sponsors ``5 A Day For Better Health,'' 
                a national program that encourages people to eat five 
                or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. And 
                researchers continue to investigate nutrition programs 
                that may have the potential to prevent cancer.

                Mammography is another resource that can make a vital 
                contribution to cancer control efforts, helping doctors 
                detect breast tumors at an early, more treatable stage. 
                Indeed, 93 percent of all women diagnosed with early 
                breast cancer this year will live 5 years or longer. 
                Recognizing the importance of this diagnostic tool, 
                third-party reimbursement for mammograms is on the 
                rise, and Medicare covers most of the cost of screening 
                mammography for women over the age of 65. I encourage 
                State governments, insurance providers, medical 
                facilities, and employers to develop policies that 
                improve women's access to this life-saving, affordable 
                procedure.

                In another step forward, the Food and Drug 
                Administration has proposed changing its review process 
                for new cancer therapies. This new approach will 
                shorten development time by several years, and the FDA 
                is also cutting its own review time in half--from a 
                year to about 6 months. All of these changes mean new 
                therapies will be available sooner and will be 
                accessible

[[Page 14604]]
                to more of our Nation's cancer patients. The FDA's 
                initiative could immediately affect at least 100 drugs 
                now being studied--with dozens of them getting to the 
                market sooner--and improve the lives of millions of 
                Americans who can take advantage of those therapies.

                To publicize these advances and options, the National 
                Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service helps 
                patients, health professionals, and the public in all 
                50 States and Puerto Rico. Toll-free telephone service 
                provides accurate, up-to-date information about 
                prevention and detection methods, diagnosis, treatment, 
                rehabilitation, and research. In addition, the CIS' 
                outreach system has developed partnerships with other 
                cancer organizations and Federal, State, and local 
                health agencies to promote cancer education initiatives 
                aimed at medically underserved and other special 
                populations.

                This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National 
                Cancer Act, which expanded and intensified America's 
                efforts to stop cancer. We can take pride in the gains 
                that have been made toward this goal during the past 
                quarter-century, but we must also remember the 
                essential work that remains. As we observe Cancer 
                Control Month, let us renew and strengthen our abiding 
                commitment to controlling and eliminating this disease 
                so that our children and grandchildren can lead longer, 
                healthier lives.

                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.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 
                1996, 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 
                call upon health care professionals, private industry, 
                community groups, insurance companies, and all 
                interested organizations and individuals to unite in 
                support of our Nation's determined efforts to control 
                cancer.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-8254
Filed 4-1-96; 10:54 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P