[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 40 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Pages 1903-1904]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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The President's Radio Address

September 26, 1998

    Good morning. As everyone knows, cancer can be the cruelest of 
fates--it strikes nearly every family. It struck mine; I lost my mother 
to cancer.
    Losses like these are the reasons why tens of thousands of Americans 
are coming together today on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with 
one common purpose: to focus our entire Nation's attention on cancer. 
Gathering today are patients and survivors, families and friends, 
doctors, and Americans from all walks of life. The Vice President, who's 
been a real leader in our administration's struggle against cancer, will 
join their ranks and will speak about the specific steps we're taking to 
win the fight.
    This morning I want to talk to you about our overall vision of 
cancer care and research as we approach the 21st century. This is a time 
of striking progress, stunning breakthroughs. With unyielding speed, 
scientists are mapping the very blueprint of human life, and 
expectations of the human genome project are being exceeded by the day. 
We are closing in on the genetic causes of breast cancer, colon cancer, 
and prostate cancer. New tools for screening and diagnosis are returning 
to many patients the promise of a long and healthy life. It's no wonder 
scientists say we are turning the corner in the fight against cancer.
    For 6 years now, our administration has made a top priority of 
conquering this terrible disease. We've helped cancer patients to keep 
health coverage when they changed jobs. We've accelerated the approval 
of cancer drugs while maintaining safe standards. We've increased 
funding for cancer research and, as part of our balanced budget, 
strengthened Medicare to make the screening, prevention, and detection 
of cancer more available and more affordable.
    Still, we know that we must never stop searching for the best means 
of prevention, the most accurate diagnostic tools, the most effective 
and humane treatments, and someday soon, a cure. To that end, there are 
several steps we must take.
    First, to build on our remarkable progress I proposed an 
unprecedented, multiyear increase in funding for cancer research. As 
studies proceed, we must remember that patients, as much as scientists, 
have a critical perspective to add to any research program. That's why 
I'm announcing that all Federal cancer research programs will, by next 
year, fully integrate patients and advocates into the process of setting 
research priorities.
    Next, as we continue to unravel the genetic secrets of cancer, we 
must apply that knowledge to the detection of the disease. I am 
therefore issuing a challenge to the scientific community to develop, by 
the year 2000, new diagnostic techniques for every major kind of cancer 
so we catch it at its earliest and often most treatable stage.
    Also, we should give more patients access to cutting-edge clinical 
trials so they and researchers can get faster results. That's why I'm 
directing the National Cancer Institute to speed development of national 
clinical trials systems--a simple, accessible resource for health care 
providers and patients across our Nation. I'm also urging Congress to 
pass my proposal to cover the cost of those trials for Medicare 
beneficiaries who need them most.
    Finally, we are fighting against the leading cause of preventable 
cancer by doing everything we can to stop children from smoking. America 
needs a Congress with the courage to finish the job and pass 
comprehensive tobacco legislation.
    New technological tools, new networks of information, new research 
priorities--all are part of our overall approach to health care that 
puts the patient first. On this day, as Americans from all walks of life 
and all parts of our Nation renew our national fight against cancer, we 
do well to remember that we are doing more than curing a disease. We

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are curing the ills that disease may cause: the stigmas, the myths, the 
barriers to quality care. The concerned citizens on The Mall today show 
that we are overcoming those barriers, one by one, and at the same time 
building a stronger and healthier America.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at approximately 7:30 p.m. on September 
25 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on 
September 26. This transcript was made available by the Office of the 
Press Secretary on September 25 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast.