[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 14 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Pages 573-574]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6783--Cancer Control Month, 1995

April 7, 1995

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

    Almost all of us have been touched by the devastating effects of 
cancer. In its many forms, cancer has been one of the most persistent 
and deadly health problems of this century. With the coming of spring--a 
time of rebirth--it is especially appropriate for us to renew our 
commitment to fighting cancer, to take pride in the progress we have 
made in combatting this disease, and to recognize the work still to be 
done.
    In the 24 years since the signing of the National Cancer Act, we 
have made significant strides against cancer. Through diligent research, 
we have identified major risk factors for the disease--including diet, 
lack of exercise, and smoking--and we have worked to educate Americans 
to minimize these risks in their lives. New approaches to treatment have 
been developed in recent years, and new medicines are continually being 
refined and tested.
    Among women in the United States who develop cancer, lung cancer 
claims the most lives, followed closely by breast cancer. An estimated 1 
in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their 
lives--up from 1 in 20 just two decades ago. In this decade, an 
estimated 2 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer or 
cervical cancer, with more than 500,000 of these women dying as a 
result. Cancers of the uterus, ovaries, and colon are also on the rise 
among women in this country.
    We are making progress, however. For example, from 1989 to 1992, the 
numbers of women dying from breast cancer actually declined--the largest 
short-term decrease since 1950. With the advances in treatment upon 
early detection, screening mammography has never been more important. My 
Administra- 

[[Page 574]]

tion is launching a nationwide campaign to increase awareness of 
Medicare coverage for screening mammography. Additionally, most States 
now have laws requiring private insurers to offer coverage for biannual 
screening mammography, and third-party reimbursement is increasing. 
Together, these measures are helping more women to benefit from this 
potentially life-saving procedure.
    Remarkable progress has also been made against childhood cancers as 
a result of the unflagging persistence of researchers in laboratories 
and hospitals across the country. Although the number of children 
affected by cancer is increasing, the number of deaths from childhood 
cancer continues to drop dramatically. Improved diagnostic and 
prognostic techniques and important advances in treatment have given 
renewed hope to children with leukemia, Wilms' tumor, neuroblastoma, and 
brain tumors. We are seeing a steady increase in the number of adult 
survivors of these childhood cancers.
    Every one of us has a part to play in the fight against this disease 
and much work remains to eradicate it. Continuing research is essential 
to reducing the incidence of cancer for all our citizens.
    In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution 
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 1995 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 in support of 
our Nation's determined efforts to control cancer.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
nineteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:41 p.m., April 7, 
1995]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
11.