[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 169 (Friday, September 3, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49891-49892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19324]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 169 / Friday, September 3, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 49891]]


                Proclamation 10243 of August 31, 2021

                
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every year, thousands of women in the United States are 
                diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Like all cancers, 
                ovarian cancer is brutal and cruel, inflicting pain and 
                hardship for women and their families. Like so many 
                families, my family and I know the pain of cancer all 
                too well. During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness 
                Month, we honor the courage of those affected by 
                ovarian cancer and renew our commitment to fighting 
                this illness that takes the lives of far too many 
                women. We also recommit to improving and promoting 
                early cancer detection, investing in cancer research, 
                and ensuring that every woman has equitable access to 
                the care they need and deserve.

                Ovarian cancer is rare and deadly. Because there is no 
                early ovarian cancer screening test, many women are 
                diagnosed with this disease at an advanced stage. And 
                despite ovarian cancer rates being highest among white 
                women, Black women are more likely to die from this 
                disease because of lack of access to health care, 
                socioeconomic disparities, and other causes still under 
                study.

                To help women understand the risk of developing ovarian 
                cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
                (CDC) provides tools and resources to learn about the 
                risk factors that increase the likelihood of being 
                diagnosed with this disease. Risk factors for ovarian 
                cancer include a family history of breast or ovarian 
                cancer. Any woman who thinks she is at risk of ovarian 
                cancer or who experiences persistent symptoms, 
                including abdominal or pelvic pain, pressure, swelling, 
                or bloating should talk with her health care provider. 
                The CDC's Inside Knowledge about Gynecologic Cancer, 
                which includes resources for ovarian cancer, also helps 
                women recognize the warning signs and seek medical 
                care. To learn more about ovarian cancer, visit 
                www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian and www.cdc.gov/cancer.

                The effort to eliminate ovarian cancer is taking place 
                on all fronts, from laboratory research on cancer 
                prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis, 
                treatment, and supportive care, to clinical research 
                studies, clinical trials, and public health and 
                awareness efforts. Through the leadership of the 
                National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of 
                Health (NIH), scientists are focused on research to 
                maintain and improve the quality and length of life for 
                women with ovarian cancer. My Administration plans to 
                build on these efforts by supporting investments in 
                research and technology to develop new ways to detect 
                ovarian cancer early, and improve treatment strategies. 
                To push for these groundbreaking discoveries and 
                innovative treatments, I have called for the creation 
                of an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at 
                the NIH--or ARPA-H--which would invest $6.5 billion to 
                develop breakthroughs that prevent, detect, and treat 
                cancer and other deadly diseases. I am committed to 
                doing everything I can to end cancer as we know it, and 
                to bring together the human, financial, and knowledge 
                resources necessary to make the breakthroughs that will 
                dramatically advance our progress against cancer and 
                deliver hope and health to the world.

[[Page 49892]]

                My Administration is also dedicated to protecting 
                ovarian cancer patients through the Affordable Care Act 
                (ACA). Because of the ACA, insurance companies are 
                banned from dropping a woman's coverage because she has 
                a pre-existing condition such as ovarian cancer. The 
                ACA also covers ``well-woman visits'' to a primary care 
                physician and gynecologist that include a full checkup, 
                with no copayments or deductibles. These visits focus 
                on preventive care for women and may help detect 
                ovarian cancer as early as possible.

                As we observe National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 
                we are united in our goal to end ovarian cancer, and to 
                improve the lives of all women carrying the burden of 
                this disease--including the lives of their families and 
                loved ones. We are also united in our support of the 
                researchers, advocates, and health care professionals 
                who are working tirelessly for new solutions to 
                prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer, and to 
                improve the overall health and well-being of all women.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 September 2021 
                as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon 
                the women of the United States to speak with their 
                doctors and health care providers to learn more about 
                ovarian cancer. I encourage citizens, government 
                agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, 
                the media, and other interested groups to increase 
                awareness of what Americans can do to detect and treat 
                ovarian cancer.

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

[FR Doc. 2021-19324
Filed 9-2-21; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P