Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 7, 2010 / Presidential Documents 54451 

Proclamation 8551 of August 31, 2010 

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

While we have made great strides in the battle against ovarian cancer, 

this disease continues to claim more lives than any other gynecologic cancer. 

During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor all those lost 

to and living with ovarian cancer, and we renew our commitment to developing effective screening methods, improving treatments, and ultimately 

defeating this disease. 

Each year, thousands of women are diagnosed with, and go on to battle 

valiantly against, this disease. Yet, ovarian cancer remains difficult to detect, 

and women are often not diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced 

stage. I encourage all women—especially those with a family history of 

ovarian cancer or breast cancer, and those over age 55—to protect their 

health by understanding risk factors and discussing possible symptoms, 

including abdominal pain, with their health care provider. Women and 

their loved ones may also visit Cancer.gov for more information about the 

symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian and other cancers. 

Across the Federal Government, we are working to promote awareness of 

ovarian cancer and advance its diagnosis and treatment. The National Cancer 

Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department 

of Defense all play vital roles in reducing the burden of this illness through 

critical investments in research. Earlier this year, I was proud to sign into 

law the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA), which includes provisions 

to help women living with ovarian cancer. The ACA eliminates annual 

and lifetime limits on benefits, creates a program for those who have been 

denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, and prohibits 

insurance companies from canceling coverage after individuals get sick. 

The ACA also requires that women enrolling in new insurance plans and 

those covered by Medicare or Medicaid receive free preventive care—including women’s health services and counseling related to certain genetic 

screenings that identify increased risks for ovarian cancer. In addition, the 

ACA prohibits new health plans from dropping coverage if an individual 

chooses to participate in a potentially life-saving clinical trial, or from denying coverage for routine care simply because an individual is enrolled in 

such a trial. 

During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the year, 

I commend all the brave women fighting this disease, their families and 

friends, and the health care providers, researchers, and advocates working 

to reduce this disease’s impact on our Nation. Together, we can improve 

the lives of all those affected and create a healthier future for all our 

citizens. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2010 

as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health care providers, and research institutions 

to raise ovarian cancer awareness and continue helping Americans live 

longer, healthier lives. 


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54452 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 7, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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

of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–22427 

Filed 9–3–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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