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Breast Cancer Organizations: Winning the Battle against Breast Cancer

There is no disputing the fact that death rates from breast cancer are on the decline.  According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), “Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.”

But even with earlier detection, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women (lung cancer is number one). The ACS estimates 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, and says, in 2014:

  • About 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women (of all ethnicities).
  • About 62,570 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
  • About 40,000 women will die from breast cancer

Breast cancer organizations across the country are working to not only bring about a cure for breast cancer, but also offer life-saving preventative help to the millions of women around the world who are genetically or environmentally susceptible to the disease.

Through rigorous grant initiatives, breast cancer organizations like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, are directing millions of dollars toward breast cancer research. According to the BCRFCure.org, “In 2013, BCRF's annual research funding increased to $45 million, with grants now supporting more than 200 dedicated researchers at major medical institutions across the globe—a very long way from the $159,000 awarded to eight researchers in 1994.” And this is only the beginning.

            According to American Cancer Society (ACS), “Research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer is being done in many medical centers throughout the world.” The Sister Study, for example, was organized specifically to look at sisters with breast cancer. Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), this long-term study in length will follow 50,000 women over a 10 year period, and based on their genes, lifestyle, and environmental factors, try to determine a cause,” according to the Cancer.org.

How Breast Cancer Organizations Help?

            Breast cancer organizations help by funding the scientific research needed to prevent and cure breast cancer. Together with federal aid—in 2012, the federal government spent $625.1 million on breast cancer research, according to American Cancer Society—breast cancer organizations across the country are working to rouse public awareness, push for greater prevention early-on, and lobby for more government spending.

According to the American Cancer Society, “Other federal government agencies, including other NIH Institutes and Centers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Defense, fund cancer research. In addition, state and local governments, voluntary organizations, private institutions, and corporations spend substantial amounts of money on cancer-related research.”

As breast cancer organization seek out additional funding through these and other sources, supporters of the movement can make individual tax-deductible donations to further help the cause. Follow the link to learn more about how you can donate to BCRF today.  According to its official website, the foundation, which was established by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, hopes to bring about a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.


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