The California Breast Cancer Research Program Puts Tax Contributions to Work
March 15, 2005—Oakland, CA—What lifestyle characteristics influence breast cancer risk? Do environmental factors cause breast cancer? Can natural products and low toxic agents be developed to prevent and treat breast cancer? Are there better ways to detect breast cancer and predict what the best course of treatment should be? How does one live well after a breast cancer diagnosis?
Since 1995, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) has invested funds received from voluntary contributions to the CA Breast Cancer Fund on Line 57 of California tax form 540 to support research awards to find the answers to these questions.
The CBCRP incorporates advocates and scientists in every level of the program to ensure that the research grants are not only scientifically rigorous, but also are designed with the goal of producing information that can be used by anyone affected by breast cancer.
“The CBCRP supports research that isn’t well funded by traditional granting agencies,” says Dr. Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the CBCRP. “Contributions to Line 57 help us fund unconventional research that can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.”
By supporting innovative breast cancer research, such as studies on cow viruses, Tibetan herbs, and snake venom, the CBCRP hopes to find better ways to prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer.
Some of the unique studies currently funded by CBCRP grants include:
• The effects of smoking on spread of breast cancer
• Returning to work and quality of life after breast cancer treatment
• Chinese and Tibetan herbal therapy
• Using optical scanning for early detection
• The importance of support groups to well-being
• Pesticide exposure and breast cancer
Due to the innovative nature of many of these grants, much of this science would go unfunded if it weren't for the vision, support, and commitment of the CBCRP and researchers and breast cancer advocates to end breast cancer.
“ Line 57 contributions are a valuable investment in breast cancer research,” says Kavanaugh-Lynch. “If every Californian were to contribute even one dollar, our budget would double, and we could dedicate more resources to finding ways to prevent the majority of breast cancer from occurring and curing the breast cancer that we can’t prevent.”
About the CBCRP
The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program is to eliminate
breast cancer by leading innovation in research, communication, and collaboration
in the California scientific and lay communities.
Created by the State Legislature in 1993, the California Breast Cancer
Research Program (CBCRP) is the largest state-funded breast cancer research
program in the nation and is administered by the University of California,
Office of the President. To date, the CBCRP has awarded 617 grants to
70 scientific institutions and community entities, totaling more than
$160 million for research
in California to prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer. Grants from
the CBCRP fill gaps not traditionally funded by other research programs
to jump-start
new areas of investigation that push the boundaries of research and foster
new collaborations. The CBCRP is funded through the voluntary tax check-off
program on personal income tax form 540, a portion of the state tobacco
tax, and individual contributions. For more information, call 888 313-2277,
or
visit www.cbcrp.org.
