| For the past decade, the increase in breast cancer | | | | erase their doubts and misconceptions on the topic. |
| awareness and advocacy has been incredible. With | | | | Some release videos and short films to demonstrate |
| more people becoming aware of the disease, more | | | | a breast self-exam, for example. TV and print |
| tumors are detected early, resulting in more breast | | | | advertisements are also being done, all to increase |
| cancer survivors. Aside from government efforts, | | | | public awareness on breast cancer. |
| this positive development can be attributed to breast | | | | Advocacy |
| cancer associations and their efforts to prevent | | | | Associations also work to influence lawmakers for |
| deaths caused by breast cancer. Here are some | | | | them to pass laws and policies that support breast |
| examples of breast cancer associations and what | | | | cancer issues. Advocacy efforts are geared toward |
| they can bring you. | | | | the passage of laws that increase government |
| Breast cancer associations focus on one or all of | | | | funding for research, improve breast cancer |
| these points, depending on their principles: research, | | | | screening facilities in hospitals, minimize the cost of |
| education, legislative advocacy and public service. | | | | mammogram and screening tests, and provide health |
| Research | | | | care services to low-income breast cancer patients, |
| Some associations support breast cancer research | | | | among others. Because of the lobbying done by |
| either by giving funds and participating with the | | | | these groups, more laws are passed in the national |
| National Cancer Institute, giving research grants to | | | | and state level to help breast cancer patients and |
| independent groups who will conduct research, or by | | | | breast cancer research. |
| conducting their own clinical trials. The National Cancer | | | | Service |
| Institute, through the Progress Review Group, has a | | | | Most associations are dedicated to this endeavor. |
| list of recommendations for their research agenda. | | | | These associations include support groups, whether |
| Among the goals are to identify modifiable breast | | | | online or within the community. Focusing on their |
| cancer risk factors, investigate further the relations | | | | thrust, which is basically to give support to breast |
| between gene and environment, and develop better | | | | cancer patients, these online support groups and |
| technology and breast imaging for diagnosis. | | | | organizations make the lives of patients a lot easier. |
| Associations participate by awarding research grants | | | | A study made on breast cancer patients revealed |
| to groups, who will then conduct the research and | | | | extensive computer and internet use among them. |
| clinical trials. Clinical trial is an experiment conducted to | | | | Part of their service is to provide listings of cancer |
| review and assess the effectiveness and safety of | | | | resources such as healthcare providers, agencies and |
| new treatments. But keep in mind that these | | | | support services, both on the national and regional |
| treatments are government approved and the | | | | level. This helps them know the nearest places where |
| purpose of the experiment is to study whatever side | | | | they can seek help. They also provide links to medical |
| effects that the medicine can have. Aside from that, | | | | journals and breast cancer research news. |
| some associations conduct their own research and | | | | Other associations provide a support system among |
| data analysis to study trends and statistics on a | | | | breast cancer survivors. They organize activities |
| long-term basis. | | | | where survivors can meet and mingle, inspire and |
| Education | | | | encourage each other. Studies show that these help |
| Associations realize the importance of educating the | | | | improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. |
| people on breast cancer. That is why most of them | | | | Medical staff are also present during these activities |
| conduct campaign drives to increase awareness. | | | | to provide any medical information that they need. |
| Organizing runs and walks are not mere fund-raising | | | | Breast cancer associations are made up of |
| activities. This is also a good venue for associations | | | | hardworking and dedicated people. Their mission is to |
| to spread more information on the topic. Some | | | | help prevent breast cancer and save more lives. |
| develop websites to post health information so more | | | | They help by conducting and funding research, by |
| people can have easy access to it. They also release | | | | disseminating information to increase public |
| newsletters from medical experts as well as answer | | | | awareness, by lobbying the passage of laws to help |
| queries on symptoms and risk factors. They also | | | | fight breast cancer, and by giving actual support to |
| conduct seminars and meetings , teach women on | | | | the patients. These, among others, are what they |
| how to conduct breast self-exams, inform them of | | | | can bring you. |
| what they need to know about breast cancer and | | | | |