|
state of the union
Send a Message to the President!
In just a few weeks, millions of Americans and the world will tune in to hear the State of the Union, the address in which the President lays out his priorities for the year. As President Bush prepares to address the nation, let’s urge him to use this forum to help educate Americans about the importance of breast cancer programs. Send your letter today!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Help Educate Americans about Breast Cancer!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As you prepare your annual State of the Union Address, I am writing to respectfully request that you use this national forum to help educate Americans about breast cancer.
Americans were heartened to learn of recent data showing a significant decline in the U.S. death rate from breast cancer. From 1975 until 1990, breast cancer caused the deaths of 49.7 per 100,000 women ages 40 to 75. However, by 2000, the death rate from breast cancer dropped to 38 per 100,000 for women in that age group. This statistic reflects a nearly 25 percent decrease in breast cancer deaths. Innovative research and advances in treatment led to these results and continue to be our promise for a future without breast cancer.
Recent data published in The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that the use of mammograms resulted in between 28 and 65 percent of this sharp decrease in breast cancer deaths from 1990 to 2000. In fact, between 1985 and 2000, the number of women estimated to have had a mammogram increased from 20 percent to 70 percent - an increase of approximately half of all women between the ages of 40 to 75 in just 15 years.
For low income women with little or no health insurance, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has been one of the most important means by which women may access life-saving mammograms. Since its establishment in 1991, this successful program has screened over 2.1 million women and provided more than 5 million screening examinations. Tens of thousands of breast cancer cases have been diagnosed through the NBCCEDP. Additionally, the NBCCEDP has helped reduce disparities in breast cancer for racial and ethnic minority women.
As you prepare to address the nation on the state of the Union, we respectfully request the following:
--Reiterate your commitment to and highlight the importance of breast cancer research;
--Include in your State of the Union Address the important news that death rates from breast cancer have dropped due to increased use of mammograms; and
--Include in your State of the Union Address the need to continue the fight against breast cancer by continuing to support funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and asking Congress to reauthorize the program in 2006.
Thank you for your attention to this important women's health issue.
Sincerely,
|
This year alone, more than 217,000 American women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 40,000 will die from this devastating disease. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 59,390 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women during 2006. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 40-50. Tell us why you care about breast cancer.
