Over the past decades, breast cancer research has made progress. Thanks in part to earlier detection and improved treatments, survival rates have improved. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 40,170 U.S. women will die from breast cancer in 2009. Researchers continue to work toward finding a cure for breast cancer. But breast cancer research is not limited to finding a cure for the disease. It also investigates the causes of breast cancer and addresses survivorship issues.
Types
There are many different types of breast cancer research projects. Each individual study usually has a specific focus. For example, a study might evaluate the effectiveness of a screening technique or seek to discover why a particular demographic group is more likely to die from the disease. Breast cancer research has also developed targeted therapies. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), targeted therapies focus on "the molecular and cellular changes that are specific to cancer." This type of treatment may be less harmful to normal cells than other types of treatment such as chemotherapy.
Benefits
Finding the causes of breast cancer can help prevent the disease. New tests and imaging techniques may make it possible to detect the disease sooner. Understanding the genetics of breast cancer may help determine the effectiveness of treatments. Investigating survivorship issues can lead to an improved quality of life for survivors.
Time Frame
It typically takes years for a newly developed breast cancer drug or treatment to become approved for use on patients. The amount of time that it takes to move medical research from the laboratory to the patient is often called the "bench to bedside" process. Government agencies and researchers continually work on ways to reduce the amount of time from bench to bedside without compromising patient safety.
Funding
The U.S. government funds breast cancer research through a variety of agencies. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funds breast cancer research. The Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP) states that its vision is to "eradicate breast cancer by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers." The U.S. Postal Service sells a stamp that raises money for breast cancer research. Funds that are raised from the stamp support the breast cancer research efforts of both the NIH and the DOD.
Organizations and foundations raise money for breast cancer research and then issue grants to researchers. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure are among the groups that fund breast cancer researchers. Some breast cancer research is also funded by corporations and private donations.
Facts
The NCI spent $572.6 million on breast cancer research in fiscal year 2008. The Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP) received a congressional appropriation of $150 million for fiscal year 2009. As of August 2007, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp had raised a net amount of $58.3 million.
