National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2005

Proclamation 7920 of August 29, 2005

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-
related deaths among American men. This year, thousands
of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and
thousands will die from the disease. While great
strides have been made in the battle against prostate
cancer, we have more work to do. During National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we renew our
commitment to fight prostate cancer by finding better
ways to prevent, detect, and treat this deadly disease.

My Administration is committed to funding research for
prevention and better treatments for prostate cancer.
This year, the National Institutes of Health will
invest an estimated $381 million in prostate cancer
research, including $310 million at the National Cancer
Institute. The Department of Defense's Prostate Cancer
Research Program will spend an estimated $85 million,
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will
devote an estimated $14 million toward prostate cancer
research. Scientists are examining risk factors to
identify ways to prevent prostate cancer, and they are
finding ways to detect this disease earlier, when it is
easier to treat. In addition, newer treatments are
helping to slow or stop the spread of prostate cancer
in men with advanced stages of the disease. This
progress offers hope to men who are living with
prostate cancer and those who are at risk.

As we observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month,
I encourage all men, especially those over the age of
50, to talk with their doctors about the risk of
prostate cancer and the appropriate screenings. I
commend those who fight this disease, and I applaud the
dedication of researchers, health care providers, and
all who are working to increase our knowledge of
prostate cancer. By raising awareness and supporting
research, we can save lives.

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 September 2005 as National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government
officials, businesses, communities, health care
professionals, educators, volunteers, and all people of
the United States to reaffirm our Nation's strong and
continuing commitment to treat and prevent prostate
cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B