April 26, 2007 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Releases Breast Cancer Mortality Report Revealing Injustice, Unfairness in Eight of U.S.’s Most-Affected Communities

Washington, D.C. — April 26, 2007 — Susan G. Komen for the Cure today is releasing Breast Cancer Mortality Report: Closing the Gaps in Eight Communities along with a documentary which digs deep into eight communities with unusually high breast cancer mortality rates. The report reveals shocking racial disparities in breast cancer mortality rates, tremendous barriers that prevent low-income women from receiving care, and disturbing gaps in the implementation of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act that enable states to refuse treatment for women based on where they are screened.

"[If you] go deeply into the social fabric, economics [and] policy issues that are driving disparities, you could fix some of these problems," said Harold Freeman, M.D., medical director of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention and a collaborator with Komen on the report. "At a minimum, our American society should assure that anyone who has cancer should be treated. Call it insurance, call it anything, but it's not morally acceptable that you can diagnose cancer and not provide treatment."

Eight communities studied
The eight communities studied in the Komen report include: Chicago, IL; Madison County, MS; Moultrie Country, IL; McDowell County, WV; Edgecombe County, NC; Harlem, NY; Washington, DC; and Wayne County, MI.

Read Narratives: Breast Cancer Mortality Report

Komen Community Challenge launching at Capitol Hill rally
Komen for the Cure is releasing its report at a Capitol Hill rally where the organization is launching the Komen Community Challenge, a 25-city tour and powerful new grassroots campaign to reach tens of thousands through community rallies, town hall meetings and state lobby days, rallying people together to close the gaps in research, policy and access to quality care that make breast cancer deadlier for some women than for others. Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, has the country's highest breast cancer incidence rate and the second highest breast cancer mortality rate.

"If terrorists unleashed a biological attack on American soil that started killing more than 1,500 Americans every day, as cancer does, we would mobilize every national resource to find an antidote or a cure. It is time — past time — for us to make cancer a national priority," said Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Komen Community Challenge's launch includes several events to elevate breast cancer on the national agenda while drawing attention to gaps existing at the local level, including:

Wednesday, April 25
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Lobby Day — 132 representatives from 63 Komen Affiliates across 34 states are meeting with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss four key issues: the Treatment Act, appropriations for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs, an increase in funding for the National Cancer Institute and for the appropriation of funds for the Patient Navigator grant program.

Thursday, April 26

- Hundreds of breast cancer survivors and activists gather for the Close the Gap Rally to kick off the Komen Community Challenge on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

- Komen National Race for the Cure® Luncheon is held with Komen's Congressional spouse community, Komen Affiliate representatives, breast cancer survivors, Komen grantees, sponsors and international supporters to energize and engage the D.C. community for the June 2, 2007 Race, expected to attract more than 50,000 participants.

- Komen On the Go™ community education and outreach tour vehicles will welcome visitors near the Capitol Steps and on the National Mall. Komen On the Go is a mobile community education and outreach tour that is part of Susan G. Komen for the Cure's efforts to engage all generations in the fight against breast cancer. Two vehicles will travel to nearly 150 college campuses and underserved communities in 2007. The project is funded, in part, by the generous support of its founding sponsor, the Val Skinner Foundation and LIFE (LPGA pros in the Fight to Eradicate breast cancer) event.

Friday, April 27
A Providence Hospital site visit and community forum will showcase the joint efforts undertaken by Komen for the Cure and this local grantee in battling minority health disparities in the District of Columbia. Elected officials will tour Providence's Mammography and Wellness Institute, and then join community members in a discussion on patient navigation, a tool recognized by health care providers as key to reducing D.C.'s breast cancer mortality rate.

Following the week-long series of events in Washington, D.C., Komen for the Cure's special brand of pink ribbon activism will blitz 24 additional cities across the country with a rallying cry to "Close the Gap!" as one part of an aggressive initiative during Komen for the Cure's 25th anniversary year to make breast cancer a national priority.

Learn more about the Komen Community Challenge 25-city tour