National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2010

Proclamation 8552 of August 31, 2010

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Although its mortality rate has steadily fallen in the
last decade, prostate cancer is still the second
leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United
States. This year alone, nearly 218,000 men will be
diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 32,000
men will die from this disease. National Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to
renew our commitment to fight this disease by finding
better ways to prevent, detect, and treat it.

The exact causes of prostate cancer are not known, but
awareness can help men make more informed choices about
their health. Researchers have identified several
factors that may increase a man's risk of developing
prostate cancer, including age, race, and family
history. According to the National Cancer Institute,
avoiding smoking, losing weight, maintaining a healthy
diet, and exercising may all help prevent certain
cancers. We must ensure that more men are informed
about all aspects of this disease, including early
detection and possible treatment. I encourage men to
talk with their doctors about risk factors, prevention,
and preventative screenings. And I invite all Americans
to visit Cancer.gov for more information and resources
about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of
prostate and other cancers.

Until we find a cure for this disease, my
Administration will continue promoting awareness of
this illness and supporting prostate cancer research
and treatment, including research to help determine why
prostate cancer affects some racial and ethnic groups
more than others. The National Cancer Institute, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the
Department of Defense all play vital roles in reducing
the burden of prostate cancer through critical
investments in research. The health care reforms
included in the landmark Affordable Care Act also
address specific needs of individuals fighting cancer,
including removing annual and lifetime caps on
insurance coverage, prohibiting insurance companies
from dropping coverage after an individual gets sick,
and guaranteeing insurance coverage for individuals
participating in clinical trials, the cornerstone of
cancer research.

As we observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month,
we stand by the fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons
battling prostate cancer, as well as their families and
the health care providers, researchers, and advocates
who are working to combat this disease and save lives.
By joining together to raise awareness of prostate
cancer and supporting research, we can continue to make
progress against this devastating disease.

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 2010 as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage all
citizens, Government agencies, private businesses,
nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in
activities that will increase awareness and prevention
of prostate cancer.

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