[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 69369-69370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24342]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 69369]]

                Proclamation 9507 of September 30, 2016

                
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every year, too many Americans are touched by the pain 
                and hardship caused by breast cancer--a disease that, 
                among women, is not only one of the most common 
                cancers, but also one of the leading causes of cancer-
                related death. During National Breast Cancer Awareness 
                Month, we honor all those who lost their lives to 
                breast cancer, and we recognize the courageous 
                survivors who are still fighting it. For these 
                individuals, and for their loved ones who give their 
                unwavering support during the most trying times, we 
                recommit ourselves to the essential and necessary work 
                of forging a future free from cancer in all its forms.

                Hundreds of thousands of Americans will be diagnosed 
                with breast cancer this year, and tens of thousands 
                will lose their battle with this disease. Although both 
                women and men can have breast cancer, women are at 
                higher risk. Women with a family history of breast 
                cancer, or those who are older or obese, are also more 
                likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. I encourage 
                all women to find out if they are at increased risk and 
                to learn more about recommended screenings by speaking 
                with their health care providers and by visiting 
                www.Cancer.gov/Breast.

                Early detection and treatment can save lives. Since I 
                took office, I have worked to make quality, affordable 
                health care a reality for more Americans. The 
                Affordable Care Act has given millions of women 
                expanded access to preventive services, including 
                screening tests such as mammograms, with no out-of-
                pocket costs. Women can no longer be denied coverage 
                because of a pre-existing condition, including a family 
                history of breast cancer, and lifetime and annual 
                limits on essential health benefits have been 
                eliminated.

                Critical research efforts over time have yielded great 
                progress in how we diagnose and treat breast cancer, 
                which has produced a steady increase in survival rates 
                for those suffering from this disease--and it is 
                crucial that we keep building on these successes. This 
                year, the National Cancer Institute launched the 
                largest study of its kind to investigate the role of 
                genetic and biological factors in breast cancer risk 
                among African American women, who have a higher risk of 
                dying from breast cancer. The White House Cancer 
                Moonshot Task Force, also launched this year, is a new 
                national effort striving to make a decade's worth of 
                progress in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer 
                in just 5 years. And through the Precision Medicine 
                Initiative--a bold research effort aimed at delivering 
                disease prevention and treatment based on an 
                individual's unique traits and genetic information--we 
                are pursuing new oncology-focused efforts to advance 
                personalized care through targeted cancer therapies.

                This month, with bold pink ribbons displayed proudly 
                across America, we stand in solidarity with breast 
                cancer survivors and reaffirm our commitment to raising 
                awareness of this disease and to advancing research 
                efforts. Let us thank the countless advocates, medical 
                professionals, researchers, and caregivers who dedicate 
                their lives to fighting for a world without breast 
                cancer, and together, let us carry out our mission to 
                cure cancer once and for all.

[[Page 69370]]

                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 2016 as 
                National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage 
                citizens, government agencies, private businesses, 
                nonprofit organizations, and all other interested 
                groups to join in activities that will increase 
                awareness of what Americans can do to prevent breast 
                cancer.

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

[FR Doc. 2016-24342
Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P