[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59311-59312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25673]



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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7346--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2000



Proclamation 7347--National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2000



Proclamation 7348--National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2000



Proclamation 7349--Child Health Day, 2000
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 4, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 59311]]

                Proclamation 7346 of September 29, 2000

                
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As we once again observe National Breast Cancer 
                Awareness Month, we can be heartened by the progress we 
                have made in the battle against breast cancer. Today we 
                have a better under standing of what causes the 
                disease, and advances in research are leading to 
                improvements in detection and diagnosis and to 
                treatments that are improving patients' quality of life 
                and chances of survival.

                Two million Americans today are breast cancer 
                survivors, thanks in large part to earlier detection 
                and more effective treatments. Statistics from the 
                Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 
                that nearly 70 percent of women aged 50 and older have 
                had a mammogram in the past 2 years, compared with only 
                27 percent in 1987. While these increases were found 
                among women at all income levels, those with lower 
                incomes are still less likely to be screened than those 
                at higher income levels. The National Cancer Institute 
                (NCI) and the Health Care Financing Administration are 
                working together to inform women aged 65 and older that 
                Medicare coverage is available for mammography 
                screenings; and the CDC's National Breast and Cervical 
                Cancer Early Detection provides free or low-cost 
                mammograms to uninsured, low-income, and elderly women. 
                And, to assist the thousands of low-income uninsured 
                women whose breast cancer was detected through 
                federally funded screening programs, my proposed budget 
                for fiscal 2001 includes a new Medicaid option to fund 
                the lifesaving follow-up treatment they need to 
                increase their chances of survival.

                Research is one of our most powerful tools in our 
                effort to eradicate breast cancer, and I am proud that 
                my Administration has made historic increases in 
                funding for biomedical research. A number of Federal 
                agencies and programs are adding to our knowledge about 
                the disease. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), 
                which is part of the National Institute of 
                Environmental Health Services, is studying chemical 
                compounds that may cause cancer in humans. Based on 
                data from the NTP, agencies such as the Environmental 
                Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration 
                are working to reduce human exposure to environ mental 
                agents that might increase the risk for breast and 
                other cancers. The NCI, through the Long Island Breast 
                Cancer Study Project and the Triana Community Health 
                Initiative, is exploring the possible relationship 
                between different sources of pollution and the 
                incidence of breast cancer. Findings from these studies 
                will help researchers and health care providers 
                identify women who are at higher risk for breast cancer 
                and develop better strategies for preventing the 
                disease.

                The NCI's landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial 
                (BCPT) focused on tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen 
                medication that helps reduce the chance that women who 
                are at higher risk for breast cancer will develop the 
                disease. Building on the success of the BCPT, a current 
                study of tamoxifen and raloxifene will determine 
                whether raloxifene is as effective as tamoxifen, with 
                fewer side effects. The NCI is also sponsoring clinical 
                trials of sentinel node biopsy, a procedure where the 
                surgical removal of a small number of lymph nodes can 
                determine whether cancer has spread outside of the 
                breast.

[[Page 59312]]

                The American people have also played a role in funding 
                research through activities such as the purchase of the 
                40-cent breast cancer awareness stamp from the U.S. 
                Postal Service. The sale of this stamp has raised 
                millions of dollars for breast cancer research, and, on 
                July 28 of this year, I was proud to sign legislation 
                authorizing the sale of this special stamp for an 
                additional 2 years.

                We are gaining ground in our fight against breast 
                cancer, but we cannot become complacent. This year 
                alone, more than 40,000 Americans will die from the 
                disease, and an estimated 184,200 new cases will be 
                diagnosed. We must continue to raise awareness among 
                our friends, loved ones, and fellow citizens about the 
                importance of screening and early detection and the 
                need to support new research. By doing so, we will one 
                day triumph over this devastating disease and ensure a 
                brighter, healthier future for our children.

                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 2000 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 
                twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-25673
Filed 10-3-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P