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Prevent Cancer Foundation The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a national nonprofit health organization whose mission is the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education. Founded in 1985 by Carolyn Aldigé, the organization's commitment to prevention is fueled by the fact that certain cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes and screening, and many cancers can be more easily treated when detected early. Yet more than 556,000 Americans are expected to die from the diseases annually.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $60 million in support of research, education, and early detection to more than 200 scientists at more than 100 leading academic institutions across the country.

When the Prevent Cancer Foundation first began its efforts 20 years ago, cancer prevention was not regarded as an important part of mainstream science. Today, prevention research is recognized as critical to the fight against cancer. Investigations are ongoing across the country and enormous gains are being made. The Prevent Cancer Foundation has played a pivotal role in instigating these critical changes. Through the Foundation's public education programs, thousands of men, women, and children in every state have received life-saving information about cancer, including prevention and early detection. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is headquartered in Alexandria, VA.

Resources for NBCAM Program Planners

MAMMOVAN
Recognizing that Washington, D.C. has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the country, the Prevent Cancer Foundation raised funds, and in partnership with the George Washington University Breast Care Center, developed the area's first and only mobile mammography program - the Prevent Cancer Foundation/GW Mammovan.

The van provides mammography screenings to women in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. In 2002, over 2,500 women were screened. Since it was launched in 1996, more than 15,000 women have received mammograms and 55 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Mammovan's equipment, accredited by the American College of Radiology, is state-of-the-art and meets all requirements of the Mammography Quality Standards Act. The mammogram, performed by a licensed female radiological technologist, takes only fifteen minutes. Films are developed on board the Mammovan and checked for technical accuracy. GW radiologists specializing in mammography interpret the films and provide results to women within ten working days. Women without health insurance receive all needed follow-up and treatment free of charge.

Furnished like a doctor's office, the van includes a waiting area with a VCR, two dressing rooms and a mammography suite. Able to accommodate 30 patients a day and 4,000 a year, the van is wheelchair accessible and measures approximately forty feet long, eight feet wide and twelve feet high. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 202-741-3270.

¡CELEBREMOS LA VIDA!/CELEBRATE LIFE!
¡Celebremos la Vida!/Celebrate Life!, a program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, is a breast and cervical education, screening, and early detection program for the medically underserved Latina women. The program provides mammograms, clinical breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to underserved women over the age of 40. It is a unique program because it provides medical follow-up and treatment if breast or cervical cancer is detected.

Currently, Prevent Cancer Foundation is working with the Spanish Catholic Center and the CRPF/GW Mammovan to operate the program in the District of Columbia. Georgetown University Medical Center is working with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church to reach Latinas in Northern Virginia. Prevent Cancer Foundation recently expanded the program to Kansas City, Missouri where Cabot Westside Clinic is working with The Cancer Institute to reach Latinas in the greater Kansas City area.

CONGRESSIONAL FAMILIES
The Prevent Cancer Foundation works to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention in Congress and within the Administration. We offer information on our website for individuals interested in advocating for breast cancer prevention, and highlight pending legislation critical to cancer research funding, access to screening, and access to treatment. Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness is a program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation that utilizes the public visibility of a network of approximately 110 House, Senate, and Administration spouses who share an interest in promoting breast cancer prevention and screening. CRPF communicates with the spouses throughout the year, providing them with information and tools that they might need to promote breast cancer prevention and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many spouses work to generate public awareness about screening facilities available in their regions and disseminate broader information about prevention, screening, and breast cancer research through the local media, public service announcements, partnerships with local survivor or advocacy groups, and speeches to community and civic organizations. Because so many Congressional spouses, like all of us, have been touched personally by breast cancer, they share a desire to assist in efforts to reduce incidence of the disease and increase the number of cases that are detected in their early stages.

PUBLICATIONS
Publications available from the Prevent Cancer Foundation include the brochures Healthy Women: Self Help for Cancer Prevention (Spanish and English available) and Living Healthy: 7 Steps for Cancer Prevention (Spanish and English available), as well as Breast Self-Examination shower cards (Spanish and English available). Also available is the Spanish breast cancer video Por Su Salud y Por Su Familia (For Your Health, For Your Family), and a one-page fact sheet on breast cancer prevention (Spanish and English available). More information on breast cancer prevention is available on our website at www.preventcancer.org.

Contact

Prevent Cancer Foundation 1600 Duke Street, Suite 500 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone:  (703) 836-4412 Fax:  (703) 836-4413 Contact:  Lisa Hughes,  Director, External Affairs Email:  lisa.hughes@preventcancer.org Website:  http://www.preventcancer.org