Hello! It's time for another installment of Breast Cancer Action's monthly e-newsletter-- 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 been added by mistake, please follow the directions at the bottom of the email to unsubscribe.
SPREAD THE WORD - if you like this e-alert, please help us by sharing it with your friends and family. Forward this message and let them know that they can subscribe at http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/GetInformed/AlertList.html
In this issue...
1. CHEMICALS AND COSMETICS: Avon shareholder activism victory!
2. HOT OFF THE VIRTUAL PRESSES: BCA May/June newsletter online
3. NATIONAL ACTION ALERTS: Bridging the Health Care Gap, 6/19, First Person Plural Project
4. BAY AREA ACTION ALERTS: Volunteer at San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration, 6/27; Jane Russell benefit for BCA at the Castro Theatre, 7/23
5. IN THE NEWS: New PANNA report on pesticides, Men and breast cancer, Aspirin and breast cancer
6. FAQ of the MONTH: What are aromatase inhibitors?
7. UPCOMING EVENTS: Protecting California's Drinking Water Conference, Oakland 6/11-12; Lesbian, Health, and Law Conference, San Francisco 6/19; Integrity in Science Conference, Washington DC 7/12
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1. CHEMICALS AND COSMETICS: Avon shareholder activism victory!
Breast Cancer Action and the Follow the Money Alliance know that harmful chemicals don't belong in cosmetics and body care products. One of the ways we're sending that message loud and clear to Avon - which positions itself as a leader in the fight against breast cancer while selling products that contain harmful chemicals - is through shareholder activism. The process raises awareness about the issue and makes Avon engage with activists. Thank you to everyone who helped us take action! To learn more about this campaign go to http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/LearnAboutUs/FTMBCAActivities.html or
We have exciting victories to report:
- On May 6th, our 'parabens resolution' asking Avon to study the feasibility of removing parabens from their products got an 8.7 percent vote at Avon's annual shareholder meeting, ensuring that we'll be able to bring it before Avon's shareholders again next year. Parabens are a chemical preservative that mimic estrogen in our bodies, which can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation.
- Just one week before the shareholder meeting, Avon responded to two resolutions that we filed last year and were prepared to file again this year requesting that Avon 1) study the feasibility of removing phthalates from their products and 2) make the election of board members a more transparent process in order to improve corporate governance. We applaud Avon for pledging to remove dibutyl phthalates from their products and for declassifying board elections. We will continue to ask them to do the right thing when it comes to putting people's health before corporate profit.
TAKE ACTION:
To email a postcard to your friends about this issue, tell cosmetic companies what you think, and be a more informed consumer about safe cosmetics go to
http://www.ThinkBeforeYouPink.org and click 'Take Action'
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2. HOT OFF THE VIRTUAL PRESSES: BCA May/June newsletter online
What's the story with the 'breast cancer gene' and Jewish women? How can activists revolutionize breast cancer research? Can marijuana help control chemotherapy-induced nausea? Check out the newsletter for answers to these questions and more.
Read it online: www.bcaction.org/Pages/GetInformed/CurrentNewsletter.html
Or download the PDF: http://www.bcaction.org/PDF/80.pdf
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3. NATIONAL ACTION ALERTS: Bridging the Health Care Gap, 6/19, First Person Plural Project
Bridging the Gap - National Day of Action for Universal Health Care
On June 19 join people across the nation to demand that our elected officials find a solution to the problems facing the 44 million Americans who are uninsured and the millions more who are underinsured.
NATIONALLY: To find a Bridging the Gap walk in your area or to join the virtual bridge walk go to: http://www.bridgingthegapforhealthcare.org
LOCALLY: Bridging the Gap March Across Golden Gate Bridge
Saturday, June 19, 7 am
Crissy Field, San Francisco
Join the Service Employees International Union for a march from Crissy Field across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of universal health care. Banners will declare support for SB 921 - The Health Care for All Californians Act (www.healthcareforall.org) and HR 676 - The United State National Health Insurance Act. For more information about the march or upcoming organizing meetings contact Don Bechler at Health Care for All at 415-695-7891 or dbechler@value.net
First Person Plural Project
BCA has agreed to spread the word about First Person Plural, an online discussion of breast cancer. The online gathering is scheduled to begin Monday, June 7. The project's website explains, "First Person Plural is a two-part project: first, a series of probing and unique online dialogues for women with breast cancer, developed in cooperation with leading nonprofit organizations in the field; and second, a trade book from a mainstream publisher based entirely on material generated by the dialogues. This forum will allow each of you to share your stories about coping with breast cancer and to explore together what you've learned from your experiences." Visit www.first-person-plural.org to register or find out more about the project. While we are helping to promote First Person Plural, the project is not sponsored by BCA. We hope our members enjoy the opportunity to share their stories.
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4. BAY AREA ACTION ALERTS: Volunteer at San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration, 6/27; Jane Russell benefit for BCA at the Castro Theatre, 7/23
San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration
Sunday, June 27, 10 am - 5 pm
We need lots of volunteers for 1 to 2-hour shifts! We'll have a BCA information booth and a 'bucket brigade' group collecting donations at one of the entrance gates. This is a great way to get the word out about BCA as well as raise some money. You don't need to be an expert on BCA or breast cancer to help staff the booth - you just have to have enthusiasm about sharing information with others. If you'd like to help out please contact Kendra at 415-243-9301 or kklein@bcaction.org.
Ladies and Gentlemen Prefer Jane Russell - a BCA benefit
Friday, July 23, 6pm reception, 8pm gala
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco
Join Breast Cancer Action and Marc Huestis, producer of the Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz, for this extraordinary tribute to legendary actress Jane Russell. The evening will include a rare screening of Russell's 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' as well as a musical performance by Russell herself. 17 percent of the proceeds will benefit BCA. For more information and to order tickets online go to http://www.thecastrotheatre.com/s-events.html
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5. IN THE NEWS: New PANNA report on pesticides, Men and breast cancer, Aspirin and breast cancer
Chemical Trespass
The human body is not designed to cope with synthetic pesticides. Yet we all carry a cocktail of chemicals designed to kill insects, weeds and other agricultural and household pests in our bodies. A new report, 'Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability' by the Pesticide Action Network North America, makes public for the first time an analysis of pesticide-related data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a study of levels of chemicals in 9,282 people nationwide. The report shares important data and details important steps towards reducing pesticide body burdens. You can read it online at http://www.panna.org/campaigns/docsTrespass/chemicalTrespass2004.dv.html
Men and Breast Cancer
A new study found that male breast cancer is on the rise in the United States. The study analyzed data from 1973-1998 from the National Cancer Institute and found a 25 percent increase in 25 years. This is smaller than the 52 percent increase in female breast cancer over the same period. This year 1,600 cases of male breast cancer are predicted – 0.6 percent of all breast cancer cases. The study found that men tend to be older and have more advanced disease at diagnosis than women and that men are more likely than women to have ER/PR positive disease. Studying male breast cancer could give us important clues about the links between synthetic estrogens in the environment and breast cancer.
Breast cancer on rise in U.S. men, study finds, NY Times, May 24
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/conditions/05/24/cancer.men.reut/index.html
Male Breast Cancer – An Overshadowed Diagnosis, BCA newsletter #59
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/SearchablePages/2000Newsletters/Newsletter059H.html
Aspirin and Breast Cancer
A recent study found that women who took aspirin at least once per week for six months or longer had a 20 percent lower risk of developing estrogen-dependent breast tumors than those who didn’t. The study found a dose affect - women who took aspirin seven or more times per week reduced their risk by 28 percent. Establishing relatively non-toxic and affordable means to reduce breast cancer risk would be great progress. This study points the way, but before women consider taking aspirin for its protective effect we will need more research and will need to weigh the benefits and risks carefully. Extended aspirin use can have side effects including peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The estrogen mechanism that underlies how aspirin appears to work tells us something important. We know that estrogen affects breast tumors, but few studies look at involuntary exposures to synthetic estrogen, such as from pesticides, chemicals in make-up and body care products and hormones in dairy and meat. Although the study of unpatented, less toxic drugs is an important step, we cannot forget that breast cancer prevention will never be found in a pill.
Aspirin cuts breast cancer risk, BBC News, May 26
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3748697.stm
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6. FAQ of the MONTH: What are aromatase inhibitors?
Aromatase inhibitors are a type of hormone therapy for breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors decrease the circulating estrogen in a woman's body by preventing the aromatase enzyme from converting androgen (androstenedione and testosterone) into estrogen (estrone and estradiol), which is the principal source of estrogen for postmenopausal women. These drugs should only be prescribed to women who are postmenopausal or who have had an oophorectomy.
There are three aromatase inhibitors - Arimidex (anastrozole), Femara (letrazole), and Aromasin (exemestane) that are currently approved by the FDA. These drugs are significantly different from SERMS, or selective estrogen receptor modulators. SERMS, such as Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Evista (raloxifene), are synthetic hormones that bind to the estrogen receptors in a woman's breast cells in place of her own estrogen. SERMS "fake out" the estrogen receptors because, unlike natural estrogen, they do not stimulate breast cell growth.
The preliminary results of research comparing the use of tamoxifen alone or tamoxifen plus anastrozole (the ATAC trial) showed a slightly longer disease-free survival for women on anastrozole than for women on tamoxifen, but a longer trial will be needed to enable us to make definitive conclusions. Media hype and pharmaceutical companies' desires to put new drugs on the market often preempt the thorough study of new drugs before they are released. Thus far, little is known about the long-term effects of aromatase inhibitors. Known side effects of concern include increased risk of bone fractures, elevated cholesterol, musculoskeletal syndrome (aches and pains in soft tissue and joints), and neurocognitive problems (with memory, attention, and word finding).
Like SERMS, aromatase inhibitors are being evaluated as "prevention pills". Breast Cancer Action has serious concerns about giving otherwise healthy women drugs that can have harmful side effects. The current focus on pills for prevention diverts attention and funding from the true prevention of breast cancer through understanding and eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals.
-- YOUR INPUT WANTED: Is there a question you want answered, or an issue that you want BCA's opinion on? Send it to kklein@bcaction.org and we'll try to answer it personally or feature it in a future e-newsletter!
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7. UPCOMING EVENTS: Protecting California's Drinking Water Conference, Oakland 6/11-12; Lesbian, Health, and Law Conference, San Francisco 6/19; Integrity in Science Conference, Washington DC 7/12
Protecting Our Drinking Water at the Source: A California Statewide Conference
Friday and Saturday, June 11-12
East Bay Community Foundation, 200 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
Join Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund as they highlight what we've learned from over 16,000 Source Water Assessments completed for the state of California. This conference will be an excellent opportunity for public health advocates, water agencies and utilities, watershed enthusiasts, and other interested individuals to exchange ideas on source protection strategies, hear reports on state activities, learn from case studies from around the state, and get inspired to take action to protect our water. For more information and to register go to: http://www.cleanwaterfund.org/swp/ca-conf.html
Lesbian, Health, and Law Conference
Saturday, June 19, 9 am - 3 pm
Laurel Heights Conference Center, 3333 California Street, San Francisco
Join the Lesbian Health Research Center for an educational day of workshops, lectures and socializing focused on understanding your rights and responsibilities as they relate to your health. Topics include: coupling, marriage, parenting, having children, aging, and substance abuse. For more information and to register go to: http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org
Integrity in Science Conference
Monday, July 12 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
The International Trade Center, Washington DC
Join the Center for Science in the Public Interest for their second annual conference to address the corporate and political manipulation of science and scientists to influence public policy on health and the environment. To learn more and to register go to http://www.IntegrityInScience.org
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That's it for this edition! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about this listserv.
Thanks for your continued support of BCA. Until next time,
Kendra Klein, Community Organizer and
Toll free at 877-2STOPBC (278-6722)
www.bcaction.org
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 on-line 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 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.
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