[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
Presidential Documents
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