    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [October 25, 1997]
    [Pages 1429-1430]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    October 25, 1997

        The President. Good morning. I want to talk to you today about the
    vital importance of mammography in our fight against breast cancer. The
    tragedy of breast cancer has touched the lives of nearly every American
    family, including my own. This year alone, 180,000 women will be newly
    diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 women will die from
    the devastating disease.
        Since I took office, fighting breast cancer has been one of my top
    priorities. We've nearly doubled funding for breast cancer research,
    prevention, and treatment. The recent discovery of two breast cancer
    genes by NIH scientists holds out great promise for new prevention
    strategies, and we continue to work to find a cure.
        Until that day, we know that early detection is the most potent
    weapon we possess in our battle against breast cancer, and we know that
    mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer so that it can be
    treated before it's too late.
        The First Lady and I have worked hard to make mammograms available
    to more women and to encourage more women to get mammograms. The
    historic balanced budget I signed into law last summer makes annual
    mammograms far more affordable for women on Medicare and extends this
    potentially life-saving benefit to all Medicare beneficiaries over the
    age of 40.
        Hillary has led our national campaign to educate women about the
    vital importance of mammography, and I'd like to ask her to say a few
    words about it.
        The First Lady. Mammography can mean the difference between life and
    death for millions of women. Yet I know from my conversations with women
    around the country, particularly older women, that far too many think
    they don't need mammograms because they are past their childbearing
    years. Others are afraid of mammograms. Still others don't know that
    their health insurance covers the test.

    [[Page 1430]]

        The National Mammography Campaign was launched to dispel myths and
    fears about mammography and to increase public awareness about Medicare
    coverage of mammograms. In the last 3 years, through community outreach,
    public service announcements, and partnerships with an energized
    business community, we have made a lot of progress. Now we must work
    even harder to reach women who, because of income, language, or cultural
    barriers, are the least likely to get mammograms.
        The administration's Horizons project is doing exactly that, in six
    of our largest cities. This week we received the project's first report,
    and it is teaching us a great deal about how to reach older women who
    have not been getting mammograms. We are looking forward to taking what
    we have learned and bringing this knowledge to communities all over the
    country.
        The President. The success of our campaign depends upon our ability
    to reach as many women as possible. This week, the National Cancer
    Institute is launching a wide-reaching education program to provide
    health professionals and women and their families with simple,
    straightforward information about the newest research and
    recommendations for early detection. These publications will reach
    thousands of women with a simple message. Mammograms are available,
    effective, and safe, and they can save your life.
        When women do go for a mammogram, we must make sure they receive the
    highest quality care. High-quality mammograms can detect the vast
    majority of breast tumors and, when followed by prompt treatment, can
    reduce the risk of death by as much as 30 percent. Women need and
    deserve that security.
        That is why today I'm pleased to announce new FDA regulations that
    will ensure medical facilities, health providers, and detection
    equipment are all held to the highest possible standards so that every
    woman gets the quality care she needs when she needs it most. With these
    steps, we're giving women and their families a powerful tool to fight
    breast cancer and new hope that the fight can be won.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 4:47 p.m. on October 24 in the Oval
    Office at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October 25.