[Title 3 CFR 6980]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - January 1, 1998 Edition]
[Title 3 - Presidential Documents]
[Proclamation 6980 - Proclamation 6980 of April 1, 1997]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


3Presidential Documents11998-01-011998-01-01false6980Proclamation 6980Presidential Documents
Proclamation 6980 of April 1, 1997

Cancer Control Month, 1997

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

In observing Cancer Control Month, we reaffirm our national commitment 
to fighting this deadly disease. Since the signing of the National 
Cancer Act in 1971, we as a Nation have made significant strides in 
combating many forms of cancer. In November 1996, the National Cancer 
Institute (NCI) announced that the cancer death rate in the United 
States fell by nearly 3 percent between 1991 and 1995, the first 
sustained decline since national record-keeping began in the 1930s. The 
declines in lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer deaths in men, and 
breast and gynecologic cancer deaths in women, reflect the progress we 
have made in prevention, early detection, and treatment. However, we 
recognize how much work must still be done to control and eliminate this 
disease.
Perhaps one of the most promising achievements of cancer research this 
past year is in our increased understanding of cancer genetics. We have 
learned that cancer is a disease of altered genes and altered gene 
function. Researchers are making great progress in identifying genes 
whose dysfunction leads to cancer. Our research into the relationship 
between genetics and cancer also is helping us to better understand the 
basis for many other diseases and will strengthen our ability to 
intervene against them. If we are to continue this remarkable progress, 
we must keep scientific research as a fundamental priority.
Research has already taught us that smoking directly causes lung cancer 
and markedly increases a person's risk of developing cancers of the 
pancreas, esophagus, uterus, cervix, mouth, throat, and bladder. We know 
that many of the deaths from these cancers are preventable. Over the 
last several years, positive trends have emerged: Business, industry, 
and all levels of government have established smoke-free policies, and 
per-capita cigarette consumption has declined by 37 percent over the 
past two decades.
Reasons for deep concern remain, however. More than 3,000 teenagers 
become regular smokers each day in the United States. We must do all we 
can to help our children understand the consequences of smoking, and we 
must set a good example ourselves by not smoking. Last year, in an 
important step forward, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed 
restrictions on the advertising, marketing, and sales of cigarettes to 
minors. In February of this year, I was proud to announce that the first 
part of those rules went into effect.
We are also learning more about the relationship between diet and cancer 
risk, and we are gaining insight into the role of dietary supplements in 
reducing certain types of cancer. We know that by improving our diet--
reducing fat and increasing the amount of fiber--we reduce our risk of 
cancer. The NCI, in collaboration with the food industry, sponsors the 
national 5-A-Day Program, which encourages Americans to eat five 
servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
We are taking other important steps, as well. Federal agencies are 
working together to ensure that potentially active drugs move quickly 
from discov-

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ery to clinical use. To reduce the number of cancer deaths 
and new cases, and to help cancer patients survive longer and live 
better lives, several Federal agencies are working with State and local 
health departments to develop and implement national plans for breast 
and cervical cancer screening and to promote cancer prevention. I was 
pleased to announce last week that my Administration is launching a 
major public education campaign to make sure that every woman and every 
health care professional in America is aware of the NCI's new 
recommendations that women between the ages of 40 and 49 should get a 
mammography examination for breast cancer every one or two years. The 
Medicare budget that I just submitted to the Congress will cover the 
expense of these annual exams, and we are urging State Medicaid 
directors to cover annual mammograms as well, with the assurance that 
the Federal Government will pay its matching share if they do so.
As we commemorate this special month, I ask health care professionals, 
private industry, community groups, insurance companies, and all other 
interested organizations and individual citizens to unite to publicly 
reaffirm our Nation's continuing commitment to controlling cancer. In 
1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution 
requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April 
as ``Cancer Control Month.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim April 1997, as Cancer Control Month. I 
invite the Governors of the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the appropriate 
officials of all other areas under the American flag to issue similar 
proclamations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, 
in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
first.
                                                    WILLIAM J. CLINTON