Background

In 1993, the California legislature recognized the need to respond to the tragic toll that breast cancer was taking on the people of California. At that time, the state had no comprehensive public health plan to address breast cancer. With the passage of AB2055 and AB478, an ongoing source of funds from tobacco taxes was secured to support three arms of a state effort to decrease the human and economic cost of breast cancer in California. Forty-five percent of the funds was allocated to the Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), 50% to the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program and 5% to the California Cancer Registry. The California Breast Cancer Research Program was established at the University of California.

The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program is to reduce the impact of breast cancer in California by supporting research on breast cancer and facilitating the dissemination of research findings and their translation into public health practice.

The Breast Cancer Research Council, which is an advisory committee to the University, determines the goals and priorities of the research program, establishes program policies, oversees peer review of submitted applications and makes funding recommendations. Review committees composed of expert scientists and breast cancer advocates from outside California are brought together each year to evaluate the scientific merit of applications.

The CBCRP funds support research projects and training of both beginning and experienced scientists in breast cancer research. The funds that the Program directs to research on the causes, prevention, detection and cure of breast cancer are not just monies spent, but are investments in the future of Californians. By encouraging and identifying innovative research on breast cancer, and attracting and training some of the most talented and gifted scientists into this area of research, California is making an investment that can pay vital dividends for all Californians in years to come. The specific areas of research supported, as determined by the Breast Cancer Research Council with input from stakeholders across the state, include basic and clinical science, social and behavioral science, technology development, and public health research. New program areas in translational and collaborative research, as well as community partnerships, have been developed. CBCRP's funding provides critical leverage in developing new scientific infrastructure and networks crucial for a comprehensive approach to the problem of breast cancer. One CBCRP's goal is to allocate funds rapidly and flexibly to assure that new and promising ideas are brought quickly to bear on the understanding and prevention, detection and cure of breast cancer.

1998 marked a year of important achievements for the CBCRP. The Program moved to fund new areas of research, disseminate research results, and translate research findings into practical application, all of which results in a portfolio of exciting new projects. The CBCRP budget for 1998 awards was $16.7 million. These funds now support 52 multi-year projects to investigate the pathogenesis, etiology, prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer. The projects include large-scale research efforts, pilot studies of exciting and important new areas, collaborations among scientists from different fields and between scientists and community groups, and training projects for researchers early in their careers or new to breast cancer research. These studies are being carried out at universities (public and private), community agencies, medical centers, independent research institutes, federal laboratories, and biotechnology companies. Projects funded by the Program in 1995-1997 are generating exciting results, reported here.

As requested by the legislature, this Annual Report includes the following elements:

  1. The number and dollar amounts of research grants, including the amount allocated to indirect costs.
  2. The subject of research grants. 3. The relationship between federal and state funding for breast cancer research.
  3. The relationship between each project and the overall strategy of the research program.
  4. A summary of research findings including discussion of promising new areas.
  5. The institutions and campuses receiving grant awards.

The report describes CBCRP's recent activities, goals, progress, and plans for the challenges that lie ahead on the road to decreasing the human and economic cost of breast cancer for the people of California.