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Is Breast Cancer a Political Issue?May 07 '07 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line The National Breast Cancer Coalition is an effective, persuasive grassroots advocacy group with an overall goal of the eradication of breast cancer.
On April 27th 2007, I traveled to Arlington Virginia – Again, (In February I was there to meet with other young breast survivors for a conference) but this time for the National Breast Cancer Coalitions 15th Annual Conference Beyond Ribbons to Revolution. I received a scholarship from the NBCC for my room and registration expense and I was paired up with a roommate from Montana, a woman who had been diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. NBCC background The Coalition started in 1991 with a single mission – to end breast cancer through action and advocacy. Fran Visco (a breast cancer survivor and a Philadelphia law firm partner) served as first president and has been president almost every year. NBCC/F has hundreds of member organizations, and over 70 thousand individual members worldwide. 2007 Legislative Priorities (The issues that have been decided by the Coalitions organizations with diverse perspectives that we want action/support on): 1. Guaranteed access to quality health care for all (I was able to provide an example of Canadas universal health care system) 2. $150 million dollars for the department of defence peer reviewed breast cancer research program 3. Enactment of legislation to study links between breast cancer and the environment 4. Preservation of the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. So, before we run right to Capitol Hill demanding dollars we need to be educated in these priorities and have accurate information to be able to educate legislators on these issues. The conference provided an educational setting for us to learn and network. Saturday the conference started in the morning with a Lobby Day Briefing and First Time Attendees Orientation. Already I was looking over my info packet with the 4 legislative priorities and wondering how the heck I would remember all of that and be able to talk about it knowledgably when I was told by a woman who had been before that “They will teach you everything you need to know, you will feel very confident in your knowledge and they will have you so ready to kick some a$$ that you will be pumped up to go.” I was skeptical. She was right. Fran Visco opened the conference and it was the first time I was able to hear my new mentor speak. She spoke strongly about how far we have come with legislation and research funding ( eg. over $2 billion for the DOD breast cancer research program in the last 15 years)but also firmly reminded us how much further we have to go. Until breast cancer is eradicated our work is not done and much more is expected of us. The first plenary session assessed the effect of the last 15 years of breast cancer advocacy on research, access and public policy. A bowling fundraiser challenge called Strike was held that evening but had a registration fee of $500 in pledges minimum. I was unable to attend but about 40 activists turned out for the evening. Around 25 Young Survivors – linked through the Young Survival Coalition - attended this weekend in hopes of drawing attention to the number of young women being diagnosed and affected with breast cancer. We had dinner reservations both Saturday and Sunday and it was a chance to meet with other young women that I didn’t get a chance to meet with in February but who I had been in contact with online before. Sunday morning started bright and early with a 7am breakfast and an 8am plenary session. We learned about the true costs of healthcare, that revolution is not a one time event and evidence based healthcare - what it means to patients. A Membership Luncheon gave us highlights of the last year and 2 workshops followed. I took Starting Breast Cancer Advocacy in Your Community and The Role of Consumer Advocates in Health Systems Change. Each Year the NBCC aknowledges innovative grassroots advocacy organizations with an award and presentation on their work. This reception gave attendees a chance to network with these awards recipients. One woman made a coalition based on the challenges people with disabilities face in getting breast cancer screening and treatment. The Monday plenary sessions were breast cancer in the news - behind the headlines (with Dr Susan Love a very respected doctor and author) and politics and revolution. The annual conference luncheon had Pat Schroeder as a guest speaker. While witty and humorous, her serious message of what needs to be done was also relayed loud and clear. After, I attended my third workshop, Can Nonprofit Organizations Advocate? YES! Lobby Day State Delegation Meetings followed, giving us a chance to plan out our day of congressional meetings. An annual reception with food, drinks, dancing and door prizes was that evening. It was a great way to celebrate the work we did all weekend and to let loose the night before lobbying. The BIG Day! Lobby day at Capitol Hill had me meeting with three different Senator and Representative offices, but with staff members. Three of us were there to represent Montana State. The first two meetings went well and we received great support and they were interested in hearing our stories, concerns and sharing ideas with us. The last meeting was rushed, negative, the staff member was defensive and elusive, and he cut our meeting short. That evening we awarded the Senators and Representative who have made a difference with their support in the past year. Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Representative Anna Eshoo were three to name a few. We had more food and networking before taking the bus back to the hotel. Wednesday morning I was able to meet with the first two Senators from the Lobby Day visits and their staff at a constituency breakfast and thank them for their support. It was a pleasant experience and I got my picture taken with both Senators. Ok, So maybe your asking “Why does a Canadian care about US breast cancer legislation and research funding?” Why? First because I myself am a survivor, diagnosed at age 24. I am able to send a strong message of breast cancer being a disease that affects men and women of all ages, worldwide. Secondly because frankly I don’t care which country leads the way in research spending and getting results closer to finding a cause/prevention/cure – It will benefit all countries and people involved, no matter where the answers come from. Lastly while our country may have a few minor flaws in our universal healthcare system it still works to provide access to everyone regardless of financial ability and no one is ever denied quality care or treatment. A very important issue! People should not have to choose between paying their electric bill, feeding their family or having treatment for a fatal disease. Common themes of the weekend conference: ~ Breast cancer is a political issue. It is also a bipartisan issue. Regardless of political background or beliefs it is an issue that needs support from both parties. ~ Breast cancer affects everyone – If you have breasts you should be concerned with breast cancer issues. ~ Many people who are not survivors were there. For example people who have had family members and friends with breast cancer, people who work in the health care field and see the challenges in the system and want a change for their patients. ~ We still have a ways to go with research, access and treatment and especially prevention and finding causes. I enjoyed the weekend because it was something that I did that I felt was empowering and was making a difference on a large scale. Our local support group helps people at a community level but this felt much bigger and widespread. Also to be able to see results and get feedback on our support from government and to see results coming from the research. (Herceptin, a chemotherapy drug for Her2 breast cancer was found from this DOD research funds, Avistan is another new therapy for metastatic patients of not just breast cancer) One thing that was sad but inspiring was each morning we started our day with moments of silence and heard memorials for those who lost the battle with breast cancer but spent much time advocating for this cause. It was sobering and in your face to see their smiling pictures and know they are gone, but it also really woke us up first thing in the morning and reminded us exactly why we were there working. Working for those we have lost, working for those we will lose and working for the women of the future so they hopefully will not have to face this disease. I would go again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone that has the motivation to help make a change. I now have a greater interest and knowledge in patient and cancer advocacy and hope to continue the momentum at home. Note: While this writers corner piece could go under politics or health, I chose politics because the entire experience was based on improving health care/prevention through the legislative process. The conference was very centred on congressional visits, lobbying, advocacy, and the politics of healthcare.  |
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