Proclamation of Cancer Control Month: A Call to Action Against the Devastating Disease

April 1994 has been designated Cancer Control Month, a national statement of hope that one day we will understand, control, and eliminate cancer. This proclamation comes as the nation continues to grapple with the toll cancer exacts, with over 1 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year and nearly half of those diagnosed dying from the disease. Despite the progress made in cancer research, breast and prostate cancers remain prevalent and deadly, affecting millions of Americans each year.

Key Takeaways:

• The United States has designated April 1994 as Cancer Control Month to focus public attention on the disease and the efforts to combat it.
• Every year, over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer, and nearly half of those diagnosed die from the disease.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, taking a tragically large toll on women's lives, with realistic prospects for its eventual prevention and cure.
• Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths, with researchers directing efforts toward understanding its biology and designing more effective therapies.
• Programs to identify environmental and occupational causes of malignancy continue to be at the forefront of cancer research, including studies on the links between cancer risks and exposure to pesticides, air pollution, and electromagnetic radiation.
• The public plays a crucial role in the fight against cancer, with every individual able to adopt a lifestyle that lowers their chances of getting cancer.
• Smoking is implicated in at least one-third of all cancer deaths each year, with 50 million Americans smoking and bearing the brunt of the national tragedy of over 200,000 cases of lung and mouth cancers each year.
• Thanks to progress in cancer research, more than one-half of people diagnosed with cancer survive their disease 5 years or more.
• The years ahead hold promise of important advances in the prevention and treatment of cancer, with the collective effort of the public, health care professionals, and organizations working together to control and ultimately eliminate cancer.

Statistics:

• Over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• Nearly half of those diagnosed die from the disease.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.
• Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths.
• Over 50 million Americans smoke, with smoking implicated in at least one-third of all cancer deaths each year.
• Over 200,000 cases of lung and mouth cancers occur each year due to smoking.
• Thanks to progress in cancer research, more than one-half of people diagnosed with cancer survive their disease 5 years or more.

Sources:

• "A Proclamation Designating April 1994 as Cancer Control Month" (Federal Register, April 11, 1994).
• Joint Resolution (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 150) requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as "Cancer Control Month".