[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9853 of March 29, 2019

Cancer Control Month, 2019

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Cancer Control Month, we recognize the fearless spirit of
millions of Americans who are battling cancer and celebrate the nearly
17 million cancer survivors who are alive today. We also solemnly
remember and honor the memory of those beloved family members, friends,
and neighbors who have been taken from us by this terrible disease. As I
have said many times, our Nation will never give up our search for
effective and innovative medical procedures to treat and prevent all
forms of cancer.
Last year, more than 1.7 million Americans were diagnosed with some form
of cancer and over 600,000 lost their lives to this disease--the second
leading cause of death in the United States. There are, however, many
hopeful signs of progress. The combined rate of death from all cancers
continues to decline among both men and women, and death rates for many
of the most common types of cancer--including lung, colon, and breast--
are trending downward. These encouraging statistics reflect the
outstanding work of our Nation's dedicated healthcare professionals to
diagnose cancers at earlier stages and to improve prevention and
treatment.
Americans can take important steps to decrease their risk of developing
cancer. Maintaining a normal weight, practicing healthy eating habits,
and engaging in regular physical activity are critical to preventing
kidney, endometrial, esophageal, colon, and other forms of cancer.
Avoiding the use of tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol can
also help the body prevent and fight cancers. Americans should also
discuss their family health histories with their doctors and get
recommended cancer screenings, which can lead to early diagnosis and
help increase the odds of beating the disease.
My Administration is committed to supporting cutting-edge research and
groundbreaking medical advances and treatments that better help cancer
patients. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are actively
pursuing new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, with
special emphasis in the developing fields of genomics, precision
medicine, and immunotherapy. Last year, I signed into law the Childhood
Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act of 2018 to
advance research on childhood cancers and effective treatments, support
survivors, and better identify and track pediatric cancer rates. I also
signed into law ``Right to Try'' legislation, which provides people
diagnosed with terminal illnesses expanded options for care and
treatment. And I am working with the Congress to invest $500 million
over the next decade in cancer-related research to enable our Nation's
best scientists and doctors to learn from every child with cancer,
creating new opportunities to understand the unique causes of and find
the best cures for childhood cancer.
We will control and defeat cancer, which has inflicted devastating
suffering on too many American families. I have complete confidence in
our Nation's innovators and scientists to overcome every challenge as
they work day in and day out to rid us of this disease. Together, we

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will find the long-sought cure and eradicate the pain and death caused
by the scourge of cancer.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 April 2019 as Cancer
Control Month. I call upon the people of the United States to speak with
their doctors and healthcare providers to learn more about preventative
measures that can save lives. I encourage citizens, government agencies,
private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups
to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can
do to prevent and control cancer. I also invite the Governors of the
States and Territories and officials of other areas subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States to join me in recognizing Cancer
Control Month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
third.
DONALD J. TRUMP