Presidential Documents

59311

Federal Register

Vol. 65, No. 193

Wednesday, October 4, 2000

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7346 of September 29, 2000

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As we once again observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we

can be heartened by the progress we have made in the battle against breast

cancer. Today we have a better under standing of what causes the disease,

and advances in research are leading to improvements in detection and

diagnosis and to treatments that are improving patients’ quality of life and

chances of survival.

Two million Americans today are breast cancer survivors, thanks in large

part to earlier detection and more effective treatments. Statistics from the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that nearly 70 percent

of women aged 50 and older have had a mammogram in the past 2 years,

compared with only 27 percent in 1987. While these increases were found

among women at all income levels, those with lower incomes are still

less likely to be screened than those at higher income levels. The National

Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Health Care Financing Administration are

working together to inform women aged 65 and older that Medicare coverage

is available for mammography screenings; and the CDC’s National Breast

and Cervical Cancer Early Detection provides free or low-cost mammograms

to uninsured, low-income, and elderly women. And, to assist the thousands

of low-income uninsured women whose breast cancer was detected through

federally funded screening programs, my proposed budget for fiscal 2001

includes a new Medicaid option to fund the lifesaving follow-up treatment

they need to increase their chances of survival.

Research is one of our most powerful tools in our effort to eradicate breast

cancer, and I am proud that my Administration has made historic increases

in funding for biomedical research. A number of Federal agencies and programs are adding to our knowledge about the disease. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), which is part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, is studying chemical compounds that may cause

cancer in humans. Based on data from the NTP, agencies such as the

Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration

are working to reduce human exposure to environ mental agents that might

increase the risk for breast and other cancers. The NCI, through the Long

Island Breast Cancer Study Project and the Triana Community Health Initiative, is exploring the possible relationship between different sources of pollution and the incidence of breast cancer. Findings from these studies will

help researchers and health care providers identify women who are at higher

risk for breast cancer and develop better strategies for preventing the disease.

The NCI’s landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) focused on

tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen medication that helps reduce the chance that

women who are at higher risk for breast cancer will develop the disease.

Building on the success of the BCPT, a current study of tamoxifen and

raloxifene will determine whether raloxifene is as effective as tamoxifen,

with fewer side effects. The NCI is also sponsoring clinical trials of sentinel

node biopsy, a procedure where the surgical removal of a small number

of lymph nodes can determine whether cancer has spread outside of the

breast.

59312 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 4, 2000 / Presidential Documents

The American people have also played a role in funding research through

activities such as the purchase of the 40-cent breast cancer awareness stamp

from the U.S. Postal Service. The sale of this stamp has raised millions

of dollars for breast cancer research, and, on July 28 of this year, I was

proud to sign legislation authorizing the sale of this special stamp for an

additional 2 years.

We are gaining ground in our fight against breast cancer, but we cannot

become complacent. This year alone, more than 40,000 Americans will

die from the disease, and an estimated 184,200 new cases will be diagnosed.

We must continue to raise awareness among our friends, loved ones, and

fellow citizens about the importance of screening and early detection and

the need to support new research. By doing so, we will one day triumph

over this devastating disease and ensure a brighter, healthier future for

our children.

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 2000 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 twenty-ninth

day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independ-

[FR Doc. 00–25673

Filed 10–3–00; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

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