Executive Summary

With the funding of 51 new research projects in 1998 investigating the causes, prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer, the California Breast Cancer Research Program has invested more than $60 million in breast cancer research since 1994. These funds support research projects and training of both beginning and experienced scientists; they support efforts in laboratories, in clinics and in communities. The funds that the state of California has invested provide critical leverage in developing new scientific infrastructure and networks crucial for a comprehensive approach to eradicating breast cancer.

For decades, breast cancer has taken a tragic toll among the people of California. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women of all racial/ethnic groups in California, and is the leading cause of cancer death for women aged 15-54. In 1998 alone, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 women in California will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 4,500 will die of the disease.

While breast cancer is as serious a threat to women in other states across the U.S as it is to the women of California, California is unique in the effort it invests to find an end to this disease. In 1993, the California legislature, guided by breast cancer advocates across the state, recognized the need to respond to the breast cancer epidemic. With the passage of the Breast Cancer Act (sponsored by then Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman), the tobacco tax was increased by 2 cents per pack to create an ongoing source of funds to support the largest effort by a state to decrease the human and economic cost of breast cancer. Each year, this tax provides approximately 17 million new dollars devoted exclusively to research on the cause, prevention, detection, treatment and cure of breast cancer.

The California Breast Cancer Research Program was established at the University of California, Office of the President to spearhead efforts to stimulate innovative and creative breast cancer research that complements, but does not duplicate, research funded by other agencies.

The Breast Cancer Research Council, an advisory committee to the University, determines the goals and priorities of the Program each year and recommends the grants to be funded. These recommendations are based on the results of ratings established by peer review committees, comprised of breast cancer experts and advocates from across the country.

From its conception, the Program has been a partnership between all Californians concerned about breast cancer. Legislators, breast cancer advocates, academic and biotechnology scientists, clinicians, and University of California officials worked together to draft the enabling legislation. Representatives of these same constituencies serve to advise the Program on research priorities and grant funding; similarly diverse groups are convened to review grant applications. Research grants are awarded to scientists across the state working in public and private universities, research institutes, hospitals and medical centers, community agencies and biotechnology companies.

The California Breast Cancer Research Program also encourages partnerships and collaborations in the research it funds. The Program has created innovative initiatives to ensure that funds are directed towards research that is meaningful to Californians and that will result in rapid implementation to make a difference for patients. One of these initiatives, the Community-Initiated Research Collaboration (CIRC), funds teams of community groups/agencies and experienced scientists to explore issues of concern to the community. Another initiative, the Translational Research Collaboration (TRC), funds teams of scientists from different fields and institutions to explore new ideas and translate them to practice. The intent is to bring new research ideas quickly from the bench to the bedside, from the research setting to the community.

A total of more than $17 million were awarded to 27 institutions in the California Breast Cancer Research Program’s fourth funding cycle. Highlights of the 51 new grants that were awarded include: