The Breast Cancer Fund Praises Governor Davis for Standing Up for Women with Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Fund
Tuesday, 14 May 2002

Despite Budget Shortages, Governor Increases Money for Breast Cancer Treatment Programs

The Breast Cancer Fund today praised Governor Davis for strengthening his commitment to breast cancer treatment and research, despite pressure to cut many deserving state-funded programs. With $24 billion on the chopping block, Governor Davis showed his dedication to saving women's lives by offering a revised budget that increased funding for breast and cervical cancer treatment programs and the State's Cancer Research Fund.

"We are extremely pleased that Governor Davis is helping all women with breast cancer access the treatment they need, regardless of their income," said Jeanne Rizzo, Executive Director of The Breast Cancer Fund. "By increasing and maintaining funding for these crucial programs, the Governor has shown that he is dedicated to helping women survive this devastating disease."

Governor Davis announced funding for the following breast and other gynecological cancer programs:

1. A $4.9 million increase to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment program, which allows California to draw down federal funds to care for uninsured and under-insure women. This increases the total support for this program to $21.7 million.

2. Maintaining 2001 support with $11.1 million for the treatment of low-income breast cancer patients who are ineligible for Medi-Cal.

3. Restoration of $12.5 million for the Cancer Research Fund, which provides funding for crucial breast cancer research programs. This money is also matched by private funding sources.

"The State of California has regularly led the nation in the fight against breast cancer by establishing key programs like these," Rizzo said. "We are pleased that the Governor has increased funding for these crucial programs during these difficult economic times."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in California and is the leading cause of death for California women aged 40-55. It is estimated that more than 20,000 California women will be diagnosed with the disease, and 4,275 women in the State will die from breast cancer this year alone. Unfortunately, when all known risk factors and characteristics are added together, including family history and genetics, more than 50 percent of breast cancer cases remain unexplained. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence indicates that certain toxic chemicals contribute to breast cancer.

"It is essential to continue treating the thousands of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. However, we also must work to prevent more women from getting the disease," said Ms. Rizzo. "We need to tackle breast cancer at its root and accept the mounting body of evidence linking breast cancer with exposure to synthetic chemicals, including those found in some pesticides, fuels, plastics, detergents, and prescription drugs. It is time to act on this evidence and eliminate these cancer-causing chemicals from our bodies and our environment."

Founded in 1992, The Breast Cancer Fund (TBCF) is a national nonprofit organization that works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not simply a personal tragedy, but a public health priority that demands action. In response to the public health crisis of breast cancer, TBCF identifies -- and advocates for elimination of -- the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.

For more information, or to contact Breast Cancer Fund, see their website at: www.breastcancerfund.org