[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 16 (Monday, April 26, 1993)]
[Pages 662-663]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6549--Cancer Control Month, 1993

 April 23, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Last year, more than 1.1 million Americans were likely to develop 
cancer. Another 520,000 were likely to die from the disease.
    Cancer remains the second leading cause of death among women in the 
United States, accounting for approximately 245,000 deaths in 1992. 
Breast cancer is now the leading cause of death in women ages 40 to 44. 
Prostate cancer accounted for approximately 132,000 new cases of cancer 
in men in 1992 and is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of 
death for men. No one of any race, age, gender, or socioeconomic status 
is immune to the many forms of this deadly disease.
    The National Cancer Institute, through its nationwide Cancer 
Information Service, and the American Cancer Society, through its 
national programs and many local offices, reach millions of people with 
information about disease prevention. Community service and outreach 
efforts promote early detection of breast and cervical cancer and 
increase awareness of the risks of skin cancer.
    Every American should understand that the ability to destroy cancer 
relies on detection in its early stages. Outreach efforts are also vital 
in informing our citizens of the dangers of tobacco use, of the 
importance of a healthy diet, and of the need to maintain a desirable 
weight.
    Fewer Americans smoke now than in 1965, and between 1964 and 1987, 
three-quarters of a million smoking-related deaths were avoided. The 
general population has become increasingly aware of the dangers of 
environmental exposure, poor dietary habits, and not seeking periodic 
examinations for early detection and treatment.
    We are fortunate to live at a time when early detection techniques 
are improving rapidly. By investing in science and technologies, we all 
will benefit from medical and scientific advances in disease prevention 
and treatment. Even the development of a vaccine to prevent cancer may 
be possible in the future.
    Although significant progress has been made in combatting the 
disease, we must renew our commitment to the work that still must be 
done. Through an integrated system of public education and research, we 
can constantly improve cancer prevention and control.
    In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution 
(52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 150) requesting the President to issue an 
annual proclamation declaring April as ``Cancer Control Month.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of April 1993 as Cancer 
Control Month. I invite the Governors of the 50 States and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and 
the appropriate officials of all other areas under the American flag to 
issue similar proclamations. I also ask health care professionals, 
private industry, community groups, insurance companies, and all other 
interested organizations and individual citizens to unite to publicly 
reaffirm our Nation's continuing commitment to controlling cancer.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third 
day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, 
and of the Independence of the

[[Page 663]]

United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:29 p.m., April 23, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
April 27.