Presidential Documents

19259 

Federal Register 

Vol. 76, No. 66 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8644 of March 31, 2011 

National Cancer Control Month, 2011 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Over the past several decades, our Nation has made significant advances 

in the fight against cancer. Improvements in early detection and treatment 

of this disease have led to decreases in the rates of new cases and deaths, 

and many people who are diagnosed with cancer are living longer, with 

better quality of life. Despite the breadth of our progress, an estimated 

1.5 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year, and more than 

half a million Americans lost their lives to the disease. During National 

Cancer Control Month, we renew our commitment to increasing awareness 

about cancer and reducing the burden of this devastating illness. 

There are simple steps all of us can take to protect ourselves and our 

loved ones from cancer. Americans can help reduce their cancer risk with 

healthy practices such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, limiting alcohol 

intake, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and making 

physical activity part of each day. Exposure to tobacco smoke, even from 

occasional smoking or secondhand smoke, is particularly harmful. Americans 

striving to quit can receive help by calling 1–800–QUIT–NOW or visiting: 

www.Smokefree.gov. 

Screening tests can also help reduce the risk of developing certain cancers 

and help detect the disease early when it is often easier to treat. Under 

the Affordable Care Act, new health insurance plans must offer certain 

screening tests, including Pap tests, mammograms, and colonoscopies, at 

no extra cost. I encourage every man and woman to talk with a health 

professional about available testing and when to begin screenings. All Americans can visit www.Cancer.gov for more information about the prevention, 

diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. 

My Administration is committed to continuing the advances made in cancer 

research, prevention, detection, and treatment. The Healthy People 2020 

initiative, which is spearheaded by the Department of Health and Human 

Services, is tasked with outlining national objectives and benchmarks to 

measure progress toward improving the health of all Americans. The goals 

will provide a roadmap for better health and help focus our Nation’s attention 

on trends in cancer rates, mortality, and survival. 

Americans of every background have been touched by cancer, either through 

a personal diagnosis or that of a family member or friend, and too many 

of us understand the terrible toll of this disease. In memory of loved ones 

lost to cancer, and in tribute to the survivors and those still fighting this 

disease, I call on all Americans to recognize what each of us can do to 

live longer, healthier lives and to reach for a future free from cancer. 

The Congress of the United States, by joint resolution approved March 

28, 1938 (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 103), as amended, has requested the 

President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as ‘‘Cancer Control 

Month.’’ 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim April 2011 as National Cancer Control 

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19260 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 6, 2011 / Presidential Documents 

Month. I encourage citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that 

will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent and control 

cancer. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day 

of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2011–8381 

Filed 4–5–11; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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