NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuters Health) -- In the fiscal 2001 budget that will be submitted to Congress early next month, President Clinton will seek a $27 million increase in funding for research into the possible environmental causes of breast and prostate cancer and other diseases.

If approved by Congress, the initiative would receive a 56% increase over last year's funding level. The funding would be earmarked for use by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in assisting communities to investigate unusual incidences of cancer or other diseases, to identify regions of the country where people are at increased risk of exposure to carcinogens and toxic substances, and to ensure rapid evaluation of the impact of public health emergencies.

According to a White House statement, initial research findings suggest that unknown environmental factors produce an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer. The Clinton Administration also noted that environmental contaminants are associated with a wide range of birth defects and other diseases.

According to the administration, "Research on the impact of environmental contaminants on individual health will promote the development of improved diagnostic techniques, prevention strategies and treatments."

A spokesman for the American Cancer Society said that the organization supports the administration's proposed increase. He said that the increase would enable the CDC's Environmental Health Lab to expand its monitoring capabilities and provide information that would address the public's concern about the contribution of environmental pollutants to cancer risk.

The administration's announcement coincided with the kickoff of an American Cancer Society volunteer grassroots effort to urge the presidential candidates to adopt a cancer cure and prevention agenda for the 2000 election. The effort, termed the "Campaign Against Cancer," is chaired by US Senators Connie Mack (R-FL) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

In addition to the volunteers meeting with candidates, the society will run radio and newspaper ads in Iowa and New Hampshire to urge the candidates to address what they intend to do to combat cancer.