National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2011

Proclamation 8703 of September 1, 2011

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Ovarian cancer continues to have one of the highest
mortality rates of any cancer, and it is a leading
cause of cancer deaths among women in the United
States. This month, we remember the mothers, sisters,
and daughters we have lost to ovarian cancer, and we
extend our support to those living with this disease.
We also reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness
about ovarian cancer, and to advancing our screening
and treatment capabilities for the thousands of
American women who will be diagnosed this year.

Ovarian cancer touches women of all backgrounds and
ages. Because of a lack of early symptoms and effective
screening tests, ovarian cancer is often not detected
in time for successful interventions. It is crucial
that women know how to recognize the warning signs of
gynecological cancers and can detect the disease as
early as possible. I encourage all women to learn about
risk factors, including family history, and to discuss
possible symptoms, including abdominal pain, with their
doctor. Now, because of the Affordable Care Act, a wide
range of preventive screenings are available to women
without any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.

My Administration is committed to supporting the women,
families, and professionals working to end this
disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the Department of Health and Human Services have
started a campaign to educate women on cancers
affecting reproductive organs. The National Cancer
Institute is researching new ways to detect ovarian
cancer, publishing a comprehensive study of the most
aggressive types of ovarian cancer, and conducting
clinical trials for new combinations of therapy. And
this year, agencies across the Federal Government, from
the National Institutes of Health to the Department of
Defense, have committed to supporting ovarian cancer
prevention and treatment research.

So many lives have been touched by ovarian cancer--from
the women who fight this disease, to the families who
join their loved ones in fighting their battle. In the
memory of all the brave women who have lost their lives
to ovarian cancer, and in support of generations of
women to come, let us recommit to reaching a safer,
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 2011 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. And I urge women across
the country to talk to their health-care providers and
learn more about this disease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.