Issue #31, Spring/Summer 2004

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

• Breast Cancer LIFETIME RISK RISES TO 1 IN 7
  Recent statistics released by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) indicate that the fight against the breast cancer epidemic is losing ground. The ACS’s Breast Cancer Facts and Figures for 2003–2004 estimates that one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
  
  
• FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
  It has been a busy year so far, in fact, its amazing to all of us at the MBCC that we’re approaching mid-year already. We are continuing to make strides with new and different partner organizations and individuals and the energy that has resulted is amazing! Some of the programs and projects we’ve been working on:
  
  
• US Special Interest works to compromise European Legislation and the Precautionary Principle
  In October 2003, as part of our work with the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, we had the pleasure of hearing from 10 leading European chemical policy experts, advocates, and forward-looking business leaders from the UK, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Brussels.
  
  
• Higher Breast Cancer Risk for Longer-Time Cape Cod Residents
  Women who have lived longer on Cape Cod are at higher risk for breast cancer than new arrivals, according to troubling new results published by Silent Spring Institute in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Annals of Epidemiology.
  
  
• Ideas to Action
  Since our inception, MBCC has focused on taking a close look at possible environmental links to breast cancer and seeking ways to prevent toxic exposures. Primary prevention is defined as any intervention that prevents disease before it occurs.
  
  
• MBCC Announces New Officers
  Beginning July 1, 2004, MBCC will have a new President and Vice President to lead the organization as we continue to build on past successes and champion the cause of breast cancer prevention.
  
  
• MBCC Members lobby on Capitol Hill for Guaranteed Access to Quality Health Care for All
  As part of the Annual National Breast Cancer Coalition conference, staff, board members, and members of MBCC took part in an all-day lobbying effort to push for the four priorities outlined by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC).
  
  
• Fundraising Notes
  Notes on Fundraising Events
  
  
• Advocacy Works – Cosmetic Companies to phase Out Phthalates
  On April 19, 2004, the Wall Street Journal reported that Max Factor, Cover Girl (both owned by Procter & Gamble), and Estée Lauder would reformulate products to eliminate phthalates – chemicals emerging as a major health concern, particularly for women. Several days later, the Avon Corporation announced a similar plan.