It has been nearly three decades since October was announced as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which increases awareness for the disease annually. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States, with currently no cure. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
According to ww5.komen.org, it is estimated that there will be 231,840 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed by the end of 2015, and 40,290 deaths caused by this cancer. Although breast cancer is rare in men, it is a possibility. It is estimated there will be 2,350 new cases of breast cancer found in men, and 440 deaths. According to breastcancer.org, 85 percent of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of this disease. The most significant risk factors are age and gender.
The American Cancer Society is also actively fighting breast cancer by helping women and men cope with the physical and emotional affects that come with this disease.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is a support system for women diagnosed across the United States. Breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail, founded the NBCF in 1991, with the hope of educating people about this disease and the importance of early detection.
BCRF prides itself on their funding efficiency because 91 cents of every dollar spent toward the campaign and fundraiser goes to the research foundation to bring awareness to the disease.
“What stands between today and a cure [for breast cancer] is simply funding,” Myra Biblowit said, president and CEO of BCRF.
Many corporate sponsors team up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to support women diagnosed, such as Ann Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Clinique, Gap, Macy’s and many more. BCRF partners with brands, companies and communities, who support more than 85 scientific grants around the world.
Breast cancer research funding has grown significantly since 1990. According to BCRF, the government spent less than $1 million in supporting the campaign in the 90s; however, top private foundations and the government now spend $1 billion to support BCRF. Funding isn’t the only increase in the campaign, but there has also been an increase in mammogram screenings.
According to Shobita Parthasarathy, associate professor of Public Policy and Women’s Studies at Michigan University, said that if people focus on increasing research funding, then questions need to be asked not only about the percentage of money actually spent on research as opposed to overhead, but also how to ensure that this research will benefit those suffering from the disease.
“ Decisions about allocating research funding be tied to the potential for improved health outcomes and the researchers’ track records in achieving them. At the moment, funding is doled out based primarily on scientific priorities that may or may not align with health and social priorities,” Parthasarathy said.
BCRF said that breast cancer research efforts should be “interdisciplinary.” This would ensure that a breast cancer team could consist of scientists, biologists, public health experts and possibly even patients, which would make a strong research team and support system.
The National Breast Cancer Coalition has one goal in mind: to end breast cancer. They have launched a campaign called Breast Cancer Deadline 2020, which has a goal of ending cancer for men and women in 2020, while learning how to prevent it as well. The deadline uses three strategies: research, global access and influence.
The research efforts are called The Artemis Project. It is a collaborative approach to research and find ways to end and prevent breast cancer. In order to achieve this goal, global strategy needs to be involved. This gives patients and professionals the sources and strategies they need to accomplish their research. According to the NBCC, changing the conversation about breast cancer is important. It’s about being educated and aware of this disease by talking to professionals.
Barbara Jacoby, a two-time breast cancer survivor and award-winning blogger said that there are pink things everywhere, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t support it and aren’t educated about this disease.
Jacoby said that she would like retailers and manufacturers to look at the cost of what it takes to make the “pink” stuff.
“Your message is that you base your support of breast cancer awareness and monetary support solely on advertising and preying on the sentiments of those who are dealing with breast cancer in any form,” Jacoby said.
She said it’s refreshing to find businesses who are selling merchandise because they are actual supporters of the cause.
Sinclair is honoring National Breast Cancer Awareness month by having a ribbon signing on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Building 11, third floor. Sinclair Volleyball team played the annual PINK game, in honor of breast cancer awareness. The team wears pink jerseys throughout the game to show support. Sinclair also participated in promoting awareness by attending the Making Strides of Dayton Community Walk on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Gabrielle Sharp
Executive Editor