Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 169 / Friday, September 3, 2021 / Presidential Documents 49891 

Proclamation 10243 of August 31, 2021 

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Every year, thousands of women in the United States are diagnosed with 

ovarian cancer. Like all cancers, ovarian cancer is brutal and cruel, inflicting 

pain and hardship for women and their families. Like so many families, 

my family and I know the pain of cancer all too well. During National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the courage of those affected 

by ovarian cancer and renew our commitment to fighting this illness that 

takes the lives of far too many women. We also recommit to improving 

and promoting early cancer detection, investing in cancer research, and 

ensuring that every woman has equitable access to the care they need 

and deserve. 

Ovarian cancer is rare and deadly. Because there is no early ovarian cancer 

screening test, many women are diagnosed with this disease at an advanced 

stage. And despite ovarian cancer rates being highest among white women, 

Black women are more likely to die from this disease because of lack 

of access to health care, socioeconomic disparities, and other causes still 

under study. 

To help women understand the risk of developing ovarian cancer, the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides tools and resources to 

learn about the risk factors that increase the likelihood of being diagnosed 

with this disease. Risk factors for ovarian cancer include a family history 

of breast or ovarian cancer. Any woman who thinks she is at risk of ovarian 

cancer or who experiences persistent symptoms, including abdominal or 

pelvic pain, pressure, swelling, or bloating should talk with her health 

care provider. The CDC’s Inside Knowledge about Gynecologic Cancer, which 

includes resources for ovarian cancer, also helps women recognize the warning signs and seek medical care. To learn more about ovarian cancer, visit 

www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian and www.cdc.gov/cancer. 

The effort to eliminate ovarian cancer is taking place on all fronts, from 

laboratory research on cancer prevention, screening and early detection, 

diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care, to clinical research studies, clinical 

trials, and public health and awareness efforts. Through the leadership of 

the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 

scientists are focused on research to maintain and improve the quality 

and length of life for women with ovarian cancer. My Administration plans 

to build on these efforts by supporting investments in research and technology to develop new ways to detect ovarian cancer early, and improve 

treatment strategies. To push for these groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatments, I have called for the creation of an Advanced Research 

Projects Agency for Health at the NIH—or ARPA–H—which would invest 

$6.5 billion to develop breakthroughs that prevent, detect, and treat cancer 

and other deadly diseases. I am committed to doing everything I can to 

end cancer as we know it, and to bring together the human, financial, 

and knowledge resources necessary to make the breakthroughs that will 

dramatically advance our progress against cancer and deliver hope and 

health to the world. 


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49892 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 169 / Friday, September 3, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

My Administration is also dedicated to protecting ovarian cancer patients 

through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because of the ACA, insurance 

companies are banned from dropping a woman’s coverage because she has 

a pre-existing condition such as ovarian cancer. The ACA also covers ‘‘wellwoman visits’’ to a primary care physician and gynecologist that include 

a full checkup, with no copayments or deductibles. These visits focus on 

preventive care for women and may help detect ovarian cancer as early 

as possible. 

As we observe National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we are united 

in our goal to end ovarian cancer, and to improve the lives of all women 

carrying the burden of this disease—including the lives of their families 

and loved ones. We are also united in our support of the researchers, 

advocates, and health care professionals who are working tirelessly for new 

solutions to prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer, and to improve the 

overall health and well-being of all women. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2021 

as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon the women of 

the United States to speak with their doctors and health care providers 

to learn more about ovarian cancer. I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, the media, and other interested groups to increase awareness of what Americans can do to detect 

and treat ovarian cancer. 

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

of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19324 

Filed 9–2–21; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


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