[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7599]

Proc. 7599

Proclamation 7599 of October 1, 2002

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize 
          the progress being made towards a cure for this disease, which 
          robs so many women of their health and, in too many cases, 
          their lives. This year, an estimated 203,000 American women 
          will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and almost 40,000 will 
          die. Although we have made great medical strides in 
          understanding breast cancer, much remains to be done to 
          advance prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.
          Regular screenings remain the most effective way to identify 
          breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. For 
          women 40 and over, having mammograms every 1 to 2 years can 
          reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer. To ensure 
          mammography is available to all American women, the Centers 
          for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides screening 
          and treatment services through the National Breast and 
          Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Now in its 12th year, 
          this Program has offered free and low-cost mammograms to 
          almost 1.5 million low-income and minority women across our 
          country.
          In addition, the Federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention 
          and Treatment Act allows States to expand Medicaid coverage to 
          low-income, uninsured women who were screened through the CDC 
          program and found to need treatment for breast or cervical 
          cancer. To date, the Department of

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          Health and Human Services has approved this Medicaid 
          eligibility in 45 States.
          To prevent breast cancer, we must increase awareness of its 
          risk factors and causes. Age and genetic factors have been 
          shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. And researchers 
          are now exploring how diet and hormonal factors are linked to 
          possible causes. This information will help women and their 
          doctors make informed health care choices.
          My Administration continues to support research efforts to 
          discover a cure and advance our understanding of breast 
          cancer. The National Cancer Institute invested more than $475 
          million last year on breast cancer research, and we will 
          devote an estimated $535.8 million this year and approximately 
          $604.3 million next year. In addition to these important 
          funding increases taken by my Administration, Americans have 
          raised more than $23 million over the past 4 years by 
          purchasing the Breast Cancer Research stamp, which will be 
          available until December 31, 2003, from the United States 
          Postal Service. I also commend all of the private and 
          nonprofit groups, especially everyone who has worked on the 
          Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, for all their efforts and 
          contributions in the fight against breast cancer.
          Much of this funding is directed towards clinical trials 
          dedicated to finding new and more effective ways of 
          preventing, detecting, and treating breast cancer. America is 
          grateful to the brave and generous women who help fight this 
          disease by participating in clinical trials. Researchers rely 
          on these courageous patients, who help us learn about the 
          safety and effectiveness of new approaches of treatment and, 
          in doing so, bring us closer to eliminating this terrible 
          disease.
          NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 2002 as National Breast Cancer Awareness 
          Month. I call upon government officials, businesses, 
          communities, healthcare 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 first day 
          of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of 
          the Independence of the United States of America the two 
          hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH