Former President George W. Bush is headed to Africa next month to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer.
Bush's policy institute is one of the organizations that announced this fall the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative to expand the availability of cervical cancer screening and treatment and breast care education in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will travel next month to Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia, meeting with governmental and health care leaders.
Bush tells The Associated Press it's in the nation's best interest to "deal with disease and set priorities and save lives."
On top of making cancer awareness a top priority with his foundation, Bush also dedicated more time and funding to AIDS research in Africa than any other President in history.
He says it's a "natural extension" of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which he launched in 2003.