National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2013

Proclamation 9010 of August 30, 2013

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Among American men, prostate cancer is both the second
most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading
cause of cancer deaths. Although prostate cancer
incidence and mortality rates have declined over the
past two decades, in 2013 alone, an estimated 239,000
men in the United States will be diagnosed with the
illness, and almost 30,000 men will die from this
disease. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month, we remember those lost to prostate cancer, offer
our support to patients and their families, and
highlight our commitment to better prevention,
detection, and treatment methods.

The exact causes remain unknown, but medical
professionals have identified several risk factors that
can increase a man's chances of developing prostate
cancer. It is more common among older men and men with
a family history of prostate cancer. African American
men also have a significantly higher risk, both of
developing and dying from prostate cancer. I encourage
all men to learn about warning signs by visiting
www.Cancer.gov.

My Administration continues to support important
prostate cancer research--research that will enhance
our knowledge and improve prostate cancer prevention
and treatment. The Affordable Care Act also offers new
protections for all Americans. The health care law bans
insurance companies from placing lifetime dollar limits
on essential health benefits and from dropping coverage
because of mistakes on insurance applications.
Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will also
eliminate annual dollar limits on vital benefits, and
insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage or
charge higher premiums to patients with prostate
cancer--or any other pre-existing medical condition.

This month, I encourage all Americans to lend their
support to family, friends, and neighbors whose lives
have been touched by prostate cancer. Let us celebrate
the compassion and perseverance of health care
providers, researchers, and dedicated advocates.
Together, we can raise awareness, support research,
improve care, and reduce the impact of this disease on
our citizens and our Nation.

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 2013 as
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage
all citizens, government agencies, private businesses,
non-profit 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
thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.