BCA E-Alert September 2006

Hello! It's time for another installment of Breast Cancer Action's monthly e-alert--
a collection of news, notices, and action alerts for people concerned about the
breast cancer epidemic. Welcome to any new e-alert members! If you think you've
been added by mistake, please follow the directions at the bottom of the email to
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WE PUBLISH A SNAIL MAIL NEWSLETTER TOO - We just can't get enough of you ...and hope
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love to send you our bimonthly newsletter filled with information on treatment,
diagnosis, politics, and true prevention updates. Check out the archives and
subscribe online at http://www.bcaction.org/newsletter


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In this issue...

1. NEW AT BCA: August/September Newsletter Now Online; 2005 Annual Report Now Online
2. IN THE NEWS: Governor of California to Veto Universal Health Care; BCA Guide for
Newly Diagnosed Women Highlighted in AARP Magazine; Understanding Metastasis; High
Cost of Chemotherapy
3. TAKE ACTION: Register to Vote
4. SAVE THE DATE: Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers' Third Annual
Symposium, November 2-3, Berkeley, CA; San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December
14-17, San Antonio, TX
5. FAQ of the MONTH: I've noticed some dairy products come with a label that says
rBGH-free. What does this mean?

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1. NEW AT BCA: August/September Newsletter Now Online; 2005 Annual Report Now Online

Hot Off the Virtual Presses: August/September Newsletter Now Online

The August/September issue of the BCA Newsletter is now online and includes an
analysis of the STAR trial (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene), a report back from
the first national conference on precaution, a discussion of the type of information
women need to make treatment choices, a critique of cancer drug pricing, and a
clipping on breast cancer disparities in young African American women. Check it out
at http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/GetInformed/CurrentNewsletter.html


2005 Annual Report Online

The 2005 Annual Report, entitled Celebrating Activism, commemorates BCA’s 15th
anniversary by honoring the work of BCA’s many activists toward ending the breast
cancer epidemic. The annual report highlights our programs and campaigns in 2005.
It's available online at http://www.bcaction.org/PDF/2005AR.pdf

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2. IN THE NEWS: Governor of California to Veto Universal Health Care; BCA Guide for
Newly Diagnosed Women Highlighted in AARP Magazine; Understanding Metastasis; High
Cost of Chemotherapy

Governor of California to Veto Universal Health Care

In a historic vote, the California Legislature recently passed SB 840, a bill that
BCA supports which would have created a universal health care system in California.
Senator Sheila Kuehl, the author of the bill, stated, "For the first time, the
legislature has approved a reform that would provide every Californian with the
health coverage we need...while preserving our freedom of choice as consumers and
patients."

Health care advocates and supporters held rallies in Sacramento and Los Angeles to
urge the Governor to sign this historic legislation into law. On September 5, the
Governor announced that he would veto the legislation. Senator Kuehl said
Schwarzenegger's comments about the bill indicated he "has not read the bill,
doesn't understand the bill or is being completely misdirected by his handlers." SB
840 was expected to save Californians $8 billion in health care spending in the
first year alone, and would have provided coverage to the 6.5 million Californians
struggling with health care. Read an article about the proposed veto at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2006/09/05/state/n122340D40.DTL


BCA Guide for Women Newly Diagnosed Women Highlighted in AARP Magazine

The September/October issue of AARP Magazine featured an article about the
overwhelming amount of choices and decision-making that follow a breast cancer
diagnosis. BCA's brochure, "What to do Next: Suggestions for Women Who are Newly
Diagnosed," was mentioned in the article as a good place for finding information and
getting started. The brochure, written by women who have faced these difficult
decisions, includes tips and suggestions on everything from dealing with doctors to
understanding treatment options to asking for help from loved ones. Read the AARP
article at http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/baffled_by_choices.html Download a
copy of the brochure at http://www.bcaction.org/newlydiagnosed


Understanding Metastasis

It is well established that most cancer deaths are the result of a primary tumor
metastasizing (spreading) to vital organs in the body, yet research into metastasis
has been limited. In an August New York Times article, Laurie Tarkan explores what
we know about metastasis, questions that remain unanswered, and current research
into this area. To access the full article, visit
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/health/15meta.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print.


Adverse Effects and Cost of Chemotherapy Higher Than in Clinical Trials

A study conducted by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard
Medical School found that women 63 years or younger experience more adverse effects
and higher rates of hospitalization from chemotherapy than would be expected based
on results from clinical trials. The study, published in an August 2006 issue of the
Journal of the Nation Cancer Institute, tracked the medical claims of a group of
women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The study showed that the higher adverse
effects from chemotherapy increased healthcare costs for these women by $1,271 per
year for hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and $17,617 per year for
ambulatory care. The researchers argue that clinical trials are designed to show the
benefits of chemotherapy rather than the risks of serious adverse effects. To read
an abstract of the study, visit
http://jncicancerspectrum.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jnci;98/16/1108


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3. TAKE ACTION: Register to Vote

Register to Vote!

One of the best ways we can all take action for women's health is to vote for
policies and political leaders that will put public health first. Remember to
register to vote now if you've recently moved or if you aren't registered. Find
voter registration information for your state at
http://www.vote-smart.org/voter_registration_resources.php Voting regulations and
registration deadlines vary by state, so be sure to check with your state's
Department of Elections if you have questions about the process. You can obtain a
voter register form online at
https://secure5.ctsg.com/rtv/ovr/indexNoPop.asp?ms=2006 Just remember to print out
the form, sign it, and mail it in.

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4. SAVE THE DATE: Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers' Third Annual
Symposium, November 2-3, Berkeley, CA; San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December
14-17, San Antonio, TX

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 14-17, San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is the largest annual medical conference
dedicated exclusively to breast cancer research. Participants will include
physicians, researchers, advocates, and other health care providers. For more
information and to register, visit http://www.sabcs.org. BCA will be there again this year
and, as usual, we'll report back on our experience. If you are planning on attending
and would like to help BCA staff our information booth, please contact Pauli Ojea at
pojea [at] bcaction.org. We have a limited number of complimentary registration passes
for volunteers, so please contact us soon if you'd like to help out. We will also
be organizing a no-host lunch to meet up with other advocates during the symposium.
Please contact Pauli Ojea if you're interested in joining us.


Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers' Third Annual Symposium, November
2-3, Berkeley, CA

The Breast Cancer and Environment Research Centers is a seven-year project jointly
funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National
Cancer Institute to study the impact of prenatal-to-adult environmental exposures
that may predispose a woman to breast cancer. This scientific meeting will feature
presentations of research on environmental links to breast cancer. Scientists and
breast cancer activists from around the country will be in attendance. For more
information and to register, visit http://www.bcerc.org

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5. FAQ OF THE MONTH: I've noticed some dairy products come with a label that says
rBGH-free. What does this mean?

Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (which is usually labeled as either rBGH or rBST,
for recombinant Bovine Somatotropin) is a genetically engineered growth hormone
injected into cows so that they will produce more milk. While all cows naturally
produce a hormone that regulates growth and milk production, many are given the
genetically engineered rBGH to increase yield.

Made by Monsanto, rBGH was approved by the FDA in 1993, despite opposition from many
physicians, scientists, and consumer advocacy groups. Since then, it has been
making its way into the nation's dairy products without any labeling. Dairy
companies who have pledged not to use rBGH put a label on their products indicating
that they are rBGH-free. This genetically engineered hormone is banned in the
European Union, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

The scientific evidence suggests a possible link between rBGH and breast cancer.
rBGH seems to stimulate additional production of IGF-1, a naturally occurring
hormone in both cows and humans that regulates cell growth, division, and
differentiation. Elevated levels of IGF-1 in humans have been associated with an
increased risk of breast cancer. This is a very simplified explanation of a complex
process. To learn more about the connection between rBGH, IGF-1, and cancer visit
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_food_safety/002272.html

Although further research is needed to understand the link between rBGH and breast
cancer, consumers can take a precautionary approach by avoiding it in their dairy
products. When buying dairy products, look for a label that says rBGH or rBST-free,
or one that indicates that the company does not use artificial hormones. Milk that
is labeled organic is also rBGH-free.

To find a list of dairy companies in your state that are rBGH-free, visit
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/dairy/rbgh-free-guide

For more information visit the following websites:

Food and Water Watch:
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/dairy/bovine-growth-hormone/dairy-faq

Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility:
http://www.oregonpsr.org/csf/BrochureFinal.pdf



-- YOUR INPUT WANTED: Is there a question you want answered, or an issue that you
want BCA's opinion on? Send it to pojea [at] bcaction.org and we'll try to answer it
personally or feature it in a future e-alert!

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That's it for this edition! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or
comments about this e-alert.

Thanks for your continued support of BCA. Until next time,

Pauli Ojea, Community Organizer
Toll free at 877-2STOPBC (278-6722)
http://www.bcaction.org
http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org

Our members are the driving force behind our efforts to end the breast
cancer epidemic. Because Breast Cancer Action does not accept funding from
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toll-free at 1-877-278-6722. All gifts are deeply appreciated.

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Breast Cancer Action is funded in part by a grant from the California Wellness
Foundation (TCWF). Created in 1992 as an independent, private foundation, TCWF's
mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for
health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention programs.