[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 40 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Pages 1945-1946]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7130--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1998

October 1, 1998

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    For the millions of us who have lost loved ones to breast cancer, 
this annual observance brings with it both sorrow and hope--sorrow that 
medical breakthroughs came too late to save a beloved relative or 
friend, and hope that new efforts in research, prevention, and treatment 
will protect other families from suffering the impact of this 
devastating disease. Recent declines in the rate of breast

[[Page 1946]]

cancer deaths among American women reflect the progress we have made in 
early detection and improved treatment. But it is urgent that we 
continue to build on that progress. This year alone, another 180,000 
cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed, and some 44,000 women will die 
from the disease.
    We are waging America's crusade against breast cancer on many 
fronts. Spearheading the effort is the National Action Plan on Breast 
Cancer (NAPBC)--the product of a conference convened by Secretary of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) Donna Shalala that included advocates, 
women with breast cancer, their families, clinicians, researchers, 
members of Congress, educators, and the media. The NAPBC is helping to 
coordinate the national response to breast cancer by fostering 
communication, cooperation, and collaboration among experts both inside 
and outside of the Government.
    The lead Government agency conducting breast cancer research and 
control programs is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at HHS. By 
developing an index of genes involved in breast and other cancers, the 
NCI is improving our understanding of the disease at the molecular 
level. Research into the relationship between breast cancer and genes 
such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 is helping us to better comprehend how the 
disease develops, allowing researchers to understand more precisely the 
risk of breast cancer caused by mutations in these genes. The most 
encouraging advance thus far in prevention research came from the 
landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. This study, a national clinical 
trial sponsored by the NCI, found that women at high risk for breast 
cancer reduced that risk by taking the drug tamoxifen, demonstrating 
that breast cancer can actually be prevented. The NCI is now developing 
an educational program to help physicians and patients decide who should 
consider taking tamoxifen.
    Researchers are also making advances in breast cancer treatment and 
have found ways to combine chemotherapy drugs to make treatment more 
effective for patients whose cancer has spread. Drugs have also been 
developed to alleviate some of the side effects of chemotherapy. But 
these breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment can only help if 
women are informed about them. During this month, I invite all Americans 
to take part in our national effort to save lives. Let us join together 
to make sure that women and their families hear the message about the 
importance of screening and early detection, receive recommended 
screening mammograms, and have access to appropriate treatment. We have 
won important battles in our war on breast cancer, and we have cause to 
celebrate; nevertheless, we must remain focused on gaining the ultimate 
victory--an America free from breast cancer.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 
1998 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government 
officials, businesses, communities, health care professionals, 
educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United States to 
publicly reaffirm our Nation's strong and continuing commitment to 
controlling and curing breast cancer.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-third.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 2, 
1998]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
5.