Cancer Control Month, 2025

Published: Fri 4th Apr 25

President Donald J. Trump's April 3, 2025, proclamation designates April 2025 as Cancer Control Month.

The proclamation acknowledges the high incidence of cancer in the United States, celebrates survivors, and highlights ongoing efforts to improve cancer treatment and prevention, including advancements in medical technology and initiatives aimed at lowering healthcare costs.

The President calls upon Americans to engage in relevant programs and activities to commemorate the month.

Arguments For

  • Intended benefits: Raising public awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting research and development.

  • Evidence cited: Statistics on cancer diagnoses, deaths, and mortality rate trends. Mention of the establishment of the Make America Healthy Again Commission.

  • Implementation methods: Issuing a Presidential Proclamation urging observation of the month with relevant activities.

  • Legal/historical basis: The Congress of the United States' joint resolution requesting the annual proclamation of April as Cancer Control Month (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 103).

Arguments Against

  • Potential impacts: The proclamation's impact might be limited, with reliance on voluntary public participation and no direct funding allocated in the proclamation.

  • Implementation challenges: The success depends on widespread public engagement and coordinated efforts from various organizations (not directly mandated within this document).

  • Alternative approaches: Increased government funding for cancer research, broader public health initiatives beyond a proclamation to promote healthy lifestyles could yield greater results.

  • Unintended effects: The proclamation alone may not significantly reduce cancer rates or address systemic issues in healthcare access and affordability.

Presidential Actions

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

During Cancer Control Month, we honor the unwavering strength and courage of every American battling cancer and celebrate with over 18 million survivors who are still with us today.  We also hold dear the memories of beloved family members and friends that we have lost to this devastating disease.  My Administration remains devoted to pursuing groundbreaking medical advancement and spearheading innovative treatments to combat and prevent all forms of cancer.

Last year, over 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer, and more than 600,000 lost their lives to this horrific disease.  Since 1990, adult cancer cases have surged by 88 percent, while childhood cancer cases, though still uncommon, has incrementally increased by 0.8 percent annually since 1975, leading to a more than 40 percent increase in the past 50 years.  These trends indicate that something is wrong.  That is why I have proudly established the Make America Healthy Again Commission to address the root causes of America’s chronic disease crisis.

My Administration is committed to lowering healthcare costs; making additional treatment options available through Right to Try; and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in Government.  By promoting transparency and ending conflicts of interest in federally funded health research, we are working to restore trust in our medical and scientific institutions.  As President, I am also tapping into emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to support cutting-edge research in innovative fields like genomics and immunotherapy, pioneering medical advances that will improve the lives of cancer patients.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.  However, there are encouraging signs of progress.  The combined death rate from all types of cancer continues to decline among both men and women, and the mortality rates for several common cancers — including lung, colon, breast, and ovarian — are steadily decreasing.  These promising developments reflect the unending efforts of our Nation’s dedicated healthcare professionals to diagnose cancers at earlier stages, improve prevention, and enhance treatment.

Americans must take action to prevent and combat cancer.  Maintaining a healthy weight, adopting balanced eating habits, and engaging in regular physical activity may help prevent kidney, endometrial, esophageal, colorectal, and other cancers.  Avoiding tobacco use and alcohol consumption can also help prevent and combat cancers.  Additionally, Americans should discuss their family medical history with their doctors and undergo recommended screenings.  This can lead to an early diagnosis and increase the odds of overcoming the disease.

As a country, we will continue to push the boundaries of medical innovation, driven by the unwavering spirit of the American people.  Together, we will work to vanquish cancer, eradicating the suffering and pain it has inflicted on too many American families.  I have unshakable faith in the greatness of our Nation and the excellence of our people.  We will continue to fight until we find a long-sought cure, and we will emerge victorious in our fight against cancer.

The Congress of the United States, by joint resolution approved March 28, 1938 (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 103), as amended, has requested the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as “Cancer Control Month.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 April 2025 as Cancer Control Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with relevant programs, ceremonies, and activities.

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

DONALD J. TRUMP