[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 40 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[Pages 1663-1664]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7599--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2002

 October 1, 2002

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize the 
progress being made towards a cure for this disease, which robs so many 
women of their health and, in too many cases, their lives. This year, an 
estimated 203,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 
and almost 40,000 will die. Although we have made great medical strides 
in understanding breast cancer, much remains to be done to advance 
prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.
    Regular screenings remain the most effective way to identify breast 
cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. For women 40 and over, 
having mammograms every 1 to 2 years can reduce the risk of dying from 
breast cancer. To ensure mammography is available to all American women, 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides screening 
and treatment services through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer 
Early Detection Program. Now in its 12th year, this Program has offered 
free and low-cost mammograms to almost 1.5 million low-income and 
minority women across our country.
    In addition, the Federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and 
Treatment Act allows States to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income, 
uninsured women who were screened through the CDC program and found to 
need treatment for breast or cervical cancer. To date, the Department of 
Health and Human Services has approved this Medicaid eligibility in 45 
States.
    To prevent breast cancer, we must increase awareness of its risk 
factors and causes. Age and genetic factors have been shown to increase 
the risk of breast cancer. And researchers are now exploring how diet 
and hormonal factors are linked to possible causes. This information 
will help women and their doctors make informed health care choices.
    My Administration continues to support research efforts to discover 
a cure and advance our understanding of breast cancer. The National 
Cancer Institute invested more than $475 million last year on breast 
cancer research, and we will devote an estimated $535.8 million this 
year and approximately $604.3 million next year. In addition to these 
important funding increases taken by my Administration, Americans have 
raised more than $23 million over the past 4 years by purchasing the 
Breast Cancer Research stamp, which will be available until December 31, 
2003, from the United States Postal Service. I also commend all of the 
private and nonprofit groups, especially everyone who has worked on the 
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, for all their efforts and 
contributions in the fight against breast cancer.
    Much of this funding is directed towards clinical trials dedicated 
to finding new and more effective ways of preventing, detecting, and 
treating breast cancer. America is grateful to the brave and generous 
women who help fight this disease by participating in clinical trials. 
Researchers rely on these courageous patients, who help us learn about 
the safety and effectiveness of new approaches of treatment and, in 
doing so, bring us closer to eliminating this terrible disease.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, 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 2002 as

[[Page 1664]]

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government 
officials, businesses, communities, healthcare 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 two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 3, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
4.