[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62165-62166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25466]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 62165]]

                Proclamation 7599 of October 1, 2002

                
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we 
                recognize the progress being made towards a cure for 
                this disease, which robs so many women of their health 
                and, in too many cases, their lives. This year, an 
                estimated 203,000 American women will be diagnosed with 
                breast cancer, and almost 40,000 will die. Although we 
                have made great medical strides in understanding breast 
                cancer, much remains to be done to advance prevention, 
                early detection, and effective treatment.

                Regular screenings remain the most effective way to 
                identify breast cancer in its earliest and most 
                treatable stages. For women 40 and over, having 
                mammograms every 1 to 2 years can reduce the risk of 
                dying from breast cancer. To ensure mammography is 
                available to all American women, the Centers for 
                Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides screening 
                and treatment services through the National Breast and 
                Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Now in its 
                12th year, this Program has offered free and low-cost 
                mammograms to almost 1.5 million low-income and 
                minority women across our country.

                In addition, the Federal Breast and Cervical Cancer 
                Prevention and Treatment Act allows States to expand 
                Medicaid coverage to low-income, uninsured women who 
                were screened through the CDC program and found to need 
                treatment for breast or cervical cancer. To date, the 
                Department of Health and Human Services has approved 
                this Medicaid eligibility in 45 States.

                To prevent breast cancer, we must increase awareness of 
                its risk factors and causes. Age and genetic factors 
                have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. 
                And researchers are now exploring how diet and hormonal 
                factors are linked to possible causes. This information 
                will help women and their doctors make informed health 
                care choices.

                My Administration continues to support research efforts 
                to discover a cure and advance our understanding of 
                breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute invested 
                more than $475 million last year on breast cancer 
                research, and we will devote an estimated $535.8 
                million this year and approximately $604.3 million next 
                year. In addition to these important funding increases 
                taken by my Administration, Americans have raised more 
                than $23 million over the past 4 years by purchasing 
                the Breast Cancer Research stamp, which will be 
                available until December 31, 2003, from the United 
                States Postal Service. I also commend all of the 
                private and nonprofit groups, especially everyone who 
                has worked on the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, for 
                all their efforts and contributions in the fight 
                against breast cancer.

                Much of this funding is directed towards clinical 
                trials dedicated to finding new and more effective ways 
                of preventing, detecting, and treating breast cancer. 
                America is grateful to the brave and generous women who 
                help fight this disease by participating in clinical 
                trials. Researchers rely on these courageous patients, 
                who help us learn about the safety and effectiveness of 
                new approaches of treatment and, in doing so, bring us 
                closer to eliminating this terrible disease.

[[Page 62166]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 2002 as National 
                Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government 
                officials, businesses, communities, healthcare 
                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 two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-25466
Filed 10-3-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P