[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]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





The President





_______________________________________________________________________



Proclamation 7130--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1998
 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 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