BCA E-Alert August 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
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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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subscribe online at http://www.bcaction.org/newsletter

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In this issue...

1. NEW AT BCA: BCA Welcomes New Staff
2. IN THE NEWS: San Francisco Supervisors Approve Citywide Health Care; Study
Examines Side Effects of Raloxifene; Research Challenges Tamoxifen Use in Healthy
Women
3. TAKE ACTION: Learn More About Single-Payer Health Care; Urge California to List
Teflon Chemical as a Carcinogen
4. SAVE THE DATE: Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers' Third Annual
Symposium, November 2-3, Berkeley, CA; Cancer as a Turning Point: From Surviving to
Thriving, September 9-10, San Francisco; San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium,
December 14-17, San Antonio, TX
5. FAQ OF THE MONTH: What does disease substitution mean in the context of prevention?

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1. NEW AT BCA: BCA Welcomes New Staff

BCA Welcomes Eleanor Rouse, Development Director

Hello! I'm Eleanor Rouse, BCA's new Development Director. Having grown up in a
family of six passionate, Southern women (and one Dad), I find it extremely
gratifying to be working on behalf of women in the world, their health and that of
their families. Prior to BCA I spent 9 months in Phoenix successfully launching
Girls For A Change's first national expansion site. My 15 year non-profit career
also includes program management and fundraising for Merce Cunningham Dance Company,
the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, the Portland Schools
Foundation and the City of Richmond. In addition to millions of other women, one of
my sisters is living with breast cancer. Thus, this is the most important work I
could be doing now.

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2. IN THE NEWS: San Francisco Supervisors Approve Citywide Health Care; Study
Examines Side Effects of Raloxifene; Research Challenges Tamoxifen Use in Healthy
Women

San Francisco Supervisors Approve Citywide Health Care

Last week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan that
will provide health coverage to all of the city's uninsured residents. The plan,
which would go into effect in July 2007, would cover individuals without insurance
that do not qualify for Medi-Cal, California's public health insurance for
low-income residents. The plan, expected to be signed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, would
make San Francisco the first city in the nation to address universal health care
locally. Read an article from the San Francisco Chronicle on the new health plan at
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/26/BAGCTK5I021.DTL


Study Examines Side Effects of Raloxifene

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the effectiveness
of raloxifene in reducing the risk of heart disease and breast cancer in healthy,
postmenopausal women at high risk for heart problems. For more information about
raloxifene and breast cancer risk reduction, read “Pushing Raloxifene – Reports of
the STAR Trial” in the latest BCA Newsletter at
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/SearchablePages/2006Newsletters/Newsletter092A.html

Although the study found that raloxifene reduced the risk of breast cancer, it had
no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. Additionally, women treated with
raloxifene experienced an increased risk of fatal stroke and venous thromboembolism
(blood clots).

The study found that women in the raloxifene group had an absolute risk reduction of
1.2 breast cancer cases per 1,000 women but an increased risk of 1.2 cases of venous
thromboembolism per 1,000 women and an increased risk of 0.7 cases of fatal stroke
per 1,000 women.

BCA opposes the use of a pills-based approach to preventing disease in healthy women
because of the dangerous side effects associated with these powerful drugs. (For
more information, read BCA’s new Pills for Prevention policy, at
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/LearnAboutUs/PillsForPreventionPolicy.html). This study
underscores the need for women to weigh both absolute benefits and risks before
taking raloxifene. To read a CNN.com article about this study, visit
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/13/breast.cancer.drug.ap/index.html


Research Challenges Tamoxifen Use in Healthy Women

In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of tamoxifen to reduce
the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease (defined as a risk
equal to or greater than 1.67 percent over five years). Now, a study to be published
in the September issue of the journal Cancer challenges this recommendation by
finding that, at the 1.67 percent risk level, the side effects of tamoxifen outweigh
the benefits and may actually reduce life expectancy. Researchers used mathematical
simulations to follow a hypothetical group of 10,000 women and found that only women
at the high-end of the risk range (3 to 5 percent) may benefit from the drug.
Additionally, at the 1.67 percent risk level and based on U.S. drug prices, the cost
of taking tamoxifen to reduce the risk of breast cancer is $1.3 million per year of
life saved (the cost includes all medical care associated with taking tamoxifen, in
addition to the price of the drug). By comparing the cost to Canada – where at the
same 1.67 percent risk level the cost per year of life saved is $123,780 –
researchers argued for more national control of drug pricing. To read a transcript
of the KPIX-TV news report on this study and the risks of prescribing tamoxifen to
healthy women, featuring an interview with BCA’s Barbara Brenner, visit
http://cbs5.com/health/local_story_205214701.html

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3. TAKE ACTION: Learn More About Single-Payer Health Care; Urge California to List
Teflon Chemical as a Carcinogen

Learn More about Single-Payer Health Care

Want to learn how a single-payer system could help solve the health care crisis in
the U.S.? Check out this fun, informative animation at
http://www.grahamazon.com/sp/whatissinglepayer.php
Find out how you can help make single-payer a reality at
http://www.healthcare-now.org/takeaction.php?sid=3
If you live in California, encourage your state Assembly Member to vote for SB 840,
the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, or attend a forum on Universal
Health Care in your area. Dates and times listed at
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/LearnAboutUs/UHCBCAActivities.html
Contact Brenda Salgado at bsalgado [at] bcaction.org for more information.


Urge California to List Teflon Chemical as a Carcinogen

The chemical used to make Teflon cookware and other consumer products, called
perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, is highly suspected of causing cancer. The United
Steelworkers (many of whose members are exposed to this chemical in the workplace),
the Sierra Club, the Environmental Working Group and other public interest groups
are asking that PFOA be listed as a human carcinogen on California's Proposition 65
list. Proposition 65 requires warning labels on products known to contain
carcinogens or reproductive toxins, and prohibits the discharge of these substances
into sources of drinking water. Because of the labeling requirement, many
manufacturers decide to remove these toxins from their products voluntarily, a move
that benefits workers and consumers everywhere. The list also serves as a valuable
resource for the public and governments to assess the dangers posed by certain
substances. To read an article on this topic, visit
http://www.insidebayarea.com/bodyburden/ci_3546478

Take action by calling the following state representatives and asking them to list
PFOA as a carcinogen.

John Laird, Chair, Assembly Budget Committee - (916) 319-2027
Fran Pavley, Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources - (916) 319-2041
Noreen Evans, Member, Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources - (916)
319-2007
Cindy Montañez, Member, Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources - (916)
319-2039
Ira Ruskin, Chair, Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety - (916) 319-2039
Joe Simitian, Chair, Senate Committee on Environmental Quality - (916) 651-4011
Wesley Chesbro, Chair, Senate Committee on Budget - (916) 651-4002
Sheila Kuehl, Chair, Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources - (916) 651-4023
Alan Lowenthal, Member, Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources - (916) 651-4027
Paul Koretz, Chair, Assembly Committee on Labor - (916) 319-2042

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4. SAVE THE DATE: Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers' Third Annual
Symposium, November 2-3, Berkeley, CA; Cancer as a Turning Point: From Surviving to
Thriving, September 9-10, San Francisco; San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium,
December 14-17, San Antonio, TX

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


Cancer as a Turning Point: From Surviving to Thriving, September 9-10, San
Francisco, CA

This is a free conference to inspire, celebrate, educate, and network with all whose
lives have been touched by cancer or any life-altering illness. This includes those
living with a diagnosis as well as their friends, family, support persons, and
health professionals. Attendees will leave the conference empowered with knowledge
to augment their medical program, inspired by the stories of others, uplifted by
knowing they’re not alone, and stirred by the power of music and laughter. For more
information or to register go to http://www.healingjourneys.org or call
800-423-9882.


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.

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5. FAQ OF THE MONTH: What does disease substitution mean in the context of prevention?

Disease substitution happens when one disease takes the place of another. The term
is used to describe what can happen when the side effects of a drug used to reduce
the risk of one disease are so severe that they actually create another. Disease
substitution often occurs when women who are healthy are given drugs to prevent
breast cancer and those drugs create other diseases. Tamoxifen, for example, is a
drug that has been used in healthy women to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Yet
the side effects of tamoxifen include endometrial cancer, blood clots in the lung,
deep vein thrombosis, cataracts and uterine sarcoma. Healthy women who are
considering taking pills for risk reduction have to weigh their risk of breast
cancer versus the severe side effects (both known and unknown) those pills can
create. For more information on BCA's Pills for Prevention policy, visit
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/LearnAboutUs/PillsForPreventionPolicy.html


-- 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
the government or the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, we need
your support. You can donate online at
http://bcaction.org/Pages/SupportUs/Donate.html, or call 415-243-9301, or
toll-free at 1-877-278-6722. All gifts are deeply appreciated.

Breast Cancer Action has received the highest four-star rating from Charity
Navigator, America’s premiere evaluator of charities. To view the details of our
rating, visit
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/8165.htm


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.