This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
Date: Monday, Oct. 28, 1996 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: HHS Press Office(202) 690-6343, PHS Office on Women's Health (202) 690-7650
The NAPBC web site provides answers on frequently asked questions about breast cancer, as well as information on the NAPBC, breast cancer clinical trials and research, breast cancer organizations and advocacy groups, educational conferences, publicat ions, and government and private resources.
"This web site provides an important avenue to deliver the latest information on breast cancer to a wide audience," said HHS Secretary Donnna E. Shalala. "Now, more Americans will have ready access to information that can help to save lives."
The launch of the web site coincides with the three-year anniversary of the creation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer. In October 1993, the National Breast Cancer Coalition presented a 2.6 million signature petition to President Clinton calling for a coordinated national strategy to combat breast cancer through public/private partnerships. In response, President Clinton asked Secretary Shalala to serve as the Administration's lead in coordinating a breast cancer research, treatment and prevention strategy. In December 1993, Secretary Shalala convened a conference to establish the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer.
While provisional data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that death rates from breast cancer have fallen 7.7 percent since 1989, studies show that breast cancer will still claim nearly half a million lives in this decade. The Clin ton Administration has responded to the significant threat posed by breast cancer with increased efforts in research, prevention and treatment. Since the Administration has taken office, funding for these efforts has increased more than 95 percent, from $276 million in FY 1993 to an estimated $541 million in FY 1997.
The National Action Plan on Breast Cancer is a key element of the Clinton Administration's strong commitment to fighting breast cancer, serving as a catalyst for national efforts in the battle against breast cancer, and coordinating activities of government and non-government organizations, agencies and individuals. The NAPBC is working to improve access to information about breast cancer for consumers, scientists and practitioners; to expand the scope of research on breast cancer; and to ensure that consumers are involved in the development of national research, education and service delivery programs. The NAPBC has awarded over $9 million in grants for 99 innovative research and outreach projects with a special emphasis on the development of p ublic-private partnerships.
The NAPBC is co-chaired by Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health and Assistant Surgeon General, and Fran M. Visco, Esq., President of the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
"With the needs of consumers in mind, we designed a web site that is easy to navigate," Visco explained. "We hope that many people will use this site as a resource to learn about breast cancer and the many resources available to th em."
"Reducing the suffering and death from breast cancer in the United States is a critical national health priority. Using new information technologies to bring state-of-the-art information to women and their health care providers is an essenti al element in our national efforts to raise awareness about the disease and to provide women with the knowledge they need to make informed health care decisions," added Dr. Blumenthal.
The NAPBC web site is available in both English and Spanish. The web site address is: www.napbc.org.