National Breast Cancer Coalition Praises Senate Help Committee For Passing The Breast Cancer And Environmental Research Act

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 28 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) praised the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee of the U.S. Senate for passing S. 579, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.

Fran Visco, president of NBCC, thanked Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Michael Enzi (R-WY), the Chairman and Ranking Members of the Committee, for their leadership on this bill. Visco also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the lead sponsors of the bill: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

S. 579 would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, working through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a research program of peer-reviewed grants to study environmental factors that are believed to contribute to the development of breast cancer. Specifically, $40 million per year in Fiscal Years 2008-12 would be authorized for this purpose.

Soon after its founding in 1991, the NBCC identified a real need for coordinated, nationwide research and action on the potential relations between breast cancer and the environment. It is with that goal in mind that NBCC hosted three Environmental Summits (one with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), bringing together more than 50 scientists, government officials, policymakers, advocates and other key stakeholders to begin developing a comprehensive strategy. S. 579 and the House companion bill, H.R. 1157, are the direct result of these efforts. "Now more than ever we need legislation that will fully fund the best long-term research strategies," said Fran Visco. "It is only through comprehensive and collaborative research models that we will discover the causes of breast cancer, and gain the knowledge needed to prevent it, treat it more effectively, and, hopefully, eradicate this disease."

Visco also noted the broad bipartisan support and deep grassroots momentum across the country for this legislation. To date, the bills have 68 sponsors and co-sponsors in the Senate and 259 sponsors and co-sponsors in the House. "Passage out of this Committee is an important step to move this bill forward," said Visco. "We now look to an expeditious vote on the Senate floor and prompt consideration in the House."

The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy. The NBCC's main goals are to increase federal funding for breast cancer research; improve access to high-quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials for all women; and expand the influence of breast cancer advocates in all aspects of the breast cancer decision-making process.

http://www.stopbreastcancer.org