National Breast Cancer Coalition Asserts Advocacy, 'Not Just Ribbons,' Will End Breast Cancer; Photo Available

10/2/2002

From: Stephanie Sherman, 202-973-0569 Susan Ward, 206-979-3673 (cell) or 206-223-6457 Chrissy Baldino, 703-582-2777 (cell) or 202-833-6023

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) today released poll results indicating that although 50 percent of the population believes that wearing a pink ribbon is a somewhat effective tool to fight breast cancer and 32 percent has worn a ribbon as a symbol of support, only 6 percent has contacted an elected official to push for Congressional action.

Concerned that the public and elected officials alike are wearing ribbons without making the concurrent commitment to act, NBCC, joined by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and breast cancer surgeon and author Dr. Susan Love, issued a call to action to the public to join the ranks of NBCC activists, and called upon Congress to move on significant public policy issues before adjournment.

"We still can't prevent or cure breast cancer," stated Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. "Although many elected officials will wear pink ribbons on their lapels during October in recognition of breast cancer awareness month, symbols alone will not eradicate this disease. Congress this year has failed to make eradicating breast cancer a true priority, as evidenced by the Senate's failure last week -- for the fifth time since June -- to move on the Breast Cancer and Environmental Act. In fact, just one of NBCC's five agenda items has been enacted by Congress this year. To stop breast cancer we need a real commitment from both Congress and the public at large to do the substantive work that will result in finding the cause, developing the best treatments and ensuring access to quality care for everyone diagnosed. Awareness without action is meaningless."

To mobilize the 96 percent of Americans, who believe that breast cancer is a critical health care issue, NBCC has launched its first public service campaign "Not Just Ribbons," a powerful series of print ads emphasizing that symbols must be aligned with effective advocacy to win the fight against breast cancer. The campaign, appearing this month in national magazines, uses various symbols of power and strength, including a bulldozer, toolbox and hardhat, to encourage individuals to "push in the right direction," and "work relentlessly until the job is done."

In the coming weeks before the elections, NBCC will enlist its activists across the country to ask their elected officials what they have done to eradicate breast cancer, specifically in terms of enacting the Breast Cancer Environmental Research Act, the Access to Cancer Therapies Act, and the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act.

NBCC will also call on Members of Congress and the Administration to make access to high quality healthcare a top priority. In the spirit of this effort, NBCC has recently introduced its comprehensive Guide to Quality Breast Cancer for women diagnosed with the disease. This free publication provides a carefully researched blueprint for breast cancer patients to determine the best available treatment options for them. This evidence-based approach to education provides well-documented information to prepare women for their individual battles against breast cancer.

"We cannot afford to overlook the needs of the 3 million women who are living with breast cancer as we work to eradicate this disease. NBCC works tirelessly to increase access to quality treatment for these women, and it is the only breast cancer organization that is fighting on all critical fronts, including promoting research and seeking the involvement and influence of those living with breast cancer in breast cancer policy and clinical trials," stated Dr. Susan Love.

NBCC credited advocacy for the major breast cancer advances to date. These advocacy-driven successes include NBCC's first legislative accomplishment 10 years ago, which has resulted in an unprecedented $1 billion for innovative breast cancer research through the Department of Defense, and the more recent enactment of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, which has been adopted by a record 44 states in just two years.

According to Sen. Harkin, "While I am proud to lead the effort in the Senate in support of breast cancer research, we know that working together as a team -- from the energetic advocates to concerned Members of Congress -- is the only way to ensure that we defeat this dreaded disease."

Rep. Myrick added that, "Breast cancer is a bi-partisan issue, and Democrats and Republicans must work together to eradicate this disease."

Rep. Eshoo, a primary force in the four-year battle to pass the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, stated, "This legislation has created a life-saving link between diagnosis and treatment for low-income, uninsured women. I've no doubt that its swift adoption is the result of grassroots advocates, and we have NBCC to thank for them."

"While we have made great strides, we still have a long way to go to eradicate breast cancer. Our poll results indicate that 79 percent of the population believes that we have made progress, but complacency about our accomplishments is dangerous," stated Visco.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) is a grassroots organization comprised of over 600 member organizations and 70,000 individual members committed to ending breast cancer. By empowering and training thousands of activists to be effective lobbyists and spokespersons, NBCC has fundamentally changed the world of breast cancer and become one of the nation's most effective and powerful advocacy groups. Its mission is to eradicate breast cancer by: increasing federal funding for breast cancer research, and collaborating with the scientific community to design and oversee that research; ensuring that quality breast cancer care is available to everyone who needs it; and by expanding the influence of breast cancer advocates in all aspects of the breast cancer decision making process. Additional information about NBCC can be found at http://www.stopbreastcancer.org.

--- EDITOR'S NOTE: A photo supporting this story is available for free editorial use at http://www.wirepix.com/newsphotos/USN