[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52827-52828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22810]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 172 / Friday, September 5, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 52827]]


                Proclamation 7699 of September 1, 2003

                
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                It is estimated that more than 25,000 American women 
                will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year and 
                that more than 14,000 will die from this disease. 
                During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we seek 
                to increase understanding of ovarian cancer and the 
                importance of early detection, and to recognize the 
                advances made to eliminate this disease.

                Early detection and education are critical to treating 
                ovarian cancer. Today, only half of the women diagnosed 
                with this disease are expected to survive 5 years or 
                more. However, the 5-year survival rate for those whose 
                cancer is detected early is more than 90 percent. When 
                the disease is discovered in its early stages, doctors 
                are able to treat it with standard methods, such as 
                surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

                Researchers have made significant progress in 
                developing screening tests that can accurately diagnose 
                ovarian cancer. Much work remains, however, before we 
                can reliably detect the disease in its earliest stages 
                when treatment is most effective. I urge all women to 
                talk to their doctors about ovarian cancer and the best 
                course of action to detect and treat this deadly 
                disease. Doing so is particularly important for women 
                aged 40 or older, those with a family history of 
                ovarian cancer, and those with a personal history of 
                breast, endometrial, or colon cancer. And I urge 
                individuals across the country to learn more about this 
                disease and what can be done to reduce the number of 
                individuals who suffer from it.

                In addition to encouraging early detection and 
                increasing awareness about ovarian cancer, we must 
                continue to advance our knowledge through research. 
                Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and 
                Prevention, the National Cancer Institute, the 
                Department of Defense, the Food and Drug 
                Administration, other Federal agencies, and private 
                companies are working hard to discover the causes of 
                ovarian cancer and to design more effective screening 
                and treatment options. Through their research, we hope 
                to learn how to reduce the chances of developing this 
                disease, how to recognize it in its earliest stages, 
                and how to successfully treat women in every stage of 
                ovarian cancer. The vision and determination of these 
                professionals, along with the courage of the women who 
                participate in clinical trials, are helping to turn 
                today's research advances into tomorrow's success 
                stories.

                My Administration remains committed to supporting 
                research efforts to help find a cure for ovarian 
                cancer. My fiscal year 2004 budget proposal includes 
                more than $5.6 billion for cancer research at the 
                National Institutes of Health. This investment will 
                lead to a better understanding of ovarian cancer and 
                greater hope for women who suffer from this disease. 
                Through education and continued research, we can win 
                the fight against ovarian cancer and save the lives of 
                thousands of American women.

                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 September 2003 as National 
                Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon the people 
                of the United States to observe this month with 
                appropriate programs and activities.

[[Page 52828]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-22810
Filed 9-4-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P