Proclamations Proc. 7346 Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection provides free or low-cost mam- mograms to uninsured, low-income, and elderly women. And, to assist the thousands of low-income uninsured women whose breast cancer was de- tected through federally funded screening programs, my proposed budget for fiscal 2001 includes a new Medicaid option to fund the lifesaving fol- low-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 pro- grams are adding to our knowledge about the disease. The National Toxi- cology Program (NTP), which is part of the National Institute of Environ- mental Health Services, is studying chemical compounds that may cause cancer in humans. Based on data from the NTP, agencies such as the Envi- ronmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration are working to reduce human exposure to environ mental agents that might in- crease the risk for breast and other cancers. The NCI, through the Long Is- land Breast Cancer Study Project and the Triana Community Health Initia- tive, is exploring the possible relationship between different sources of pol- lution and the incidence of breast cancer. Findings from these studies will help researchers and health care providers identify women who are at high- er risk for breast cancer and develop better strategies for preventing the dis- ease. 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. 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 mil- lions 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 be- come 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 Constitu- tion and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2000 as Na- tional Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, businesses, communities, health care professionals, educators, volunteers, 147
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