[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51221-51222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24199]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 192 / Tuesday, October 6, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 51221]]

                Proclamation 8425 of September 30, 2009

                
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In 2009, more than 190,000 women are expected to be 
                diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 40,000 
                women are expected to die from this disease. It is the 
                most common non-skin cancer and the second leading 
                cause of cancer-related death among women in the United 
                States. As we observe National Breast Cancer Awareness 
                Month, we salute the brave Americans who are fighting 
                this disease, including families and friends, 
                advocates, researchers, and health care providers. We 
                also pause to remember and pray for those we have lost 
                to breast cancer.

                Many Americans know someone who survived breast cancer 
                due to early detection or improved treatment, and we 
                must continue to discover ways to prevent, detect, and 
                treat this disease. For us to better understand how 
                breast cancer develops, to prevent recurrence, and to 
                enhance the quality of life for survivors, we must 
                support critical research programs. The National 
                Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the 
                Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will invest 
                over $1 billion in research this year. Strengthening 
                our knowledge of breast cancer development can lead to 
                improvements in prevention and treatment.

                Screening and early detection are essential to our 
                Nation's fight against breast cancer. The National 
                Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 and older 
                have mammograms every 1 to 2 years. Women who are at 
                greater risk should talk with their health care 
                providers about whether to have mammograms before age 
                40 and how often to have them. My Administration is 
                committed to requiring insurance companies to cover 
                mammograms with no extra charges, and prohibiting the 
                denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, 
                including breast cancer.

                Breast cancer health disparities also present a serious 
                challenge. White women have the highest breast cancer 
                incidence rates, and African American women have higher 
                mortality rates than other racial or ethnic groups in 
                the United States. There is also evidence lesbian women 
                are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than 
                heterosexual women. Every day, we are improving 
                programs that address the issues women encounter in 
                obtaining appropriate and timely treatment. As a 
                Nation, we will overcome the financial and physical 
                restraints of underserved populations and ensure access 
                to quality health care.

                Our Nation has made significant progress in the fight 
                against breast cancer, and we remain firm in our 
                commitment to do more. This month, we reaffirm our 
                commitment to reduce the burden of breast cancer and 
                our support for those who are living with this 
                devastating disease. By raising awareness of this 
                disease and supporting research, we can usher in a new 
                era in our struggle against breast cancer.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009, as 
                National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage 
                citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, 
                nonprofit organizations, and other interested

[[Page 51222]]

                groups to join in activities that will help Americans 
                understand what they can do to prevent and control 
                breast cancer.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-24199
Filed 10-5-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P