[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 5, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54193-54194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26129]



[[Page 54191]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7228--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1999



Proclamation 7229--National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 1999



Proclamation 7230--National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 1999
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 192 / Tuesday, October 5, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54193]]

                Proclamation 7228 of September 30, 1999

                
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Across America today, women are living challenging, 
                fulfilling lives, skillfully balancing the 
                responsibilities of work, family, and community, and 
                making plans for a bright future. But for thousands of 
                these women each year, the diagnosis of breast cancer 
                shatters the pattern of everyday existence. For 
                millions more, the fear of such a diagnosis casts a 
                shadow across their lives. This year alone, an 
                estimated 175,000 new cases will be diagnosed, and more 
                than 43,000 women will die from breast cancer.

                Despite these tragic statistics, we are beginning to 
                see real progress in our national crusade against this 
                disease. The breast cancer mortality rate in the United 
                States has steadily declined over the past 10 years, 
                and currently 2 million American women are winning the 
                battle against this cancer.

                Our steadfast commitment to breast cancer research is 
                finally bearing fruit and has led the way to new 
                preventative treatments. Last year, the National Cancer 
                Institute's (NCI) landmark Breast Cancer Prevention 
                Trial revealed that there were 49 percent fewer 
                reported diagnoses among women who took tamoxifen. In 
                another promising effort, researchers are looking at an 
                alternate drug to see if we can achieve the same 
                results but with fewer side effects.

                Researchers are also conducting studies to determine if 
                other medications can provide an effective weapon in 
                our war against breast cancer. The Food and Drug 
                Administration has recently approved the use of a new 
                drug that has proved to be effective in the treatment 
                of patients already in the advanced stages of this 
                disease. Studies indicate that the drug may benefit 25 
                to 30 percent of women with advanced breast cancer. 
                Encouraged by these findings, the NCI has rapidly 
                expanded its study to include earlier stages of breast 
                cancer and the treatment of other cancers, such as 
                ovarian cancer.

                We have also made promising strides in promoting the 
                early detection of breast cancer, which is critical to 
                prolonging patients' lives. A recent survey conducted 
                by the NCI and the Health Care Financing Administration 
                (HCFA) showed that 88 percent of women 65 years of age 
                and older had undergone at least one mammogram during 
                their lifetime--a 25 percent increase from 1992. Of the 
                women who had a mammogram, 80 percent received their 
                most recent test within the past 2 years, and more than 
                75 percent knew of Medicare's mammography coverage. The 
                NCI and HCFA hope to build on this progress through 
                their joint campaign to raise women's awareness of the 
                importance of regularly scheduled mammograms and the 
                availability of Medicare mammography benefits.

                The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
                has also played a vital role in combating breast cancer 
                by providing access to screenings for medically 
                underserved women. Authorized by the Breast and 
                Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990, the 
                CDC's early detection program provides breast and 
                cervical cancer screening services for women who might 
                otherwise not receive them, such as older women, women 
                with lower incomes, and women of color. This program 
                has provided nearly 1 million

[[Page 54194]]

                mammograms, resulting in the diagnosis of more than 
                5,800 breast cancer cases.

                Having lost my own mother to this devastating disease, 
                I know all too well the pain and hardship that breast 
                cancer inflicts on women and their families. I urge all 
                Americans to join me in the crusade to prevent, treat, 
                and ultimately eradicate breast cancer. By building on 
                the breakthroughs we have achieved in research, 
                prevention, and treatment and by promoting continued 
                education and awareness, we can ensure that millions of 
                women can look forward to longer lives and a brighter 
                future.

                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 1999 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 
                thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-26129
Filed 10-4-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P