Issue #21, Fall 2000

Stop the Epidemic is the Newsletter of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition

• BEACON HILL PASSES LONG AWAITED GENETIC PRIVACY LEGISLATION
  It has been 6 years since the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition began to work with our State Legislators in crafting legislation which would protect individuals against genetic discrimination.
  
  
• NEW STUDY INDICATES ENVIRONMENTAL LINK TO BREAST CANCER
  It comes as no surprise to the MBCC that a recent study reported in the July 13th volume of The New England Journal of Medicine shows a causal link between the environment and cancer, including breast cancer.
  
  
• SILENT SPRING INSTITUTE LEADS RESEARCH FORUM
  Led by Silent Spring Institute, more than 60 scientists, legislators, activists, academics, medical professionals, and public health advocates gathered at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government on April 26th to discuss potential environmental connections to breast cancer.
  
  
• PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE PROJECT AIMS TOWARD STATEWIDE CONFERENCE
  The Precautionary Principle Project partners have been forging ahead in our mission to promote the use of the Precautionary Principle in public policy, which is basically using the common sense idea of "better safe than sorry" in public decision-making on health and the environment.
  
  
• "MAKE BREAST CANCER HISTORY":
  The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) brought its "Make Breast Cancer History" Campaign to Boston’s Fanueil Hall on August 5th.
  
  
• MBCC SUPPORTERS SECURE $500,000 INCREASE FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
  The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) brought its "Make Breast Cancer History" Campaign to Boston’s Fanueil Hall on August 5th.
  
  
• LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: FEDERAL LEVEL
  The MBCC continues to join the National Breast Cancer Coalition in working with Congress to pass our legislative priorities.
  
  
• BREAST CANCER DRUGS ARE PRICED HIGHER FOR WOMEN WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE
  Reports recently issued by two Congressmen on the Pricing of Breast Cancer Drugs in Massachusetts both reached the same shocking conclusion: Drug manufacturers substantially raise their prices when their products are to be purchased by women who lack prescription drug insurance coverage to pay for them.
  
  
• AGAINST THE TIDE A Wonderful Success
  The 2000 Against the Tide, held this year at two different sites, raised a total of $170,000 for MBCC activities and programs.