The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer through a nationwide campaign held in October. NBCAM started as a weeklong campaign in 1985 with 2 founding members. Today the American Cancer Society is one of many national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies that form the NBCAM Board of Sponsors. During NBCAM, the member organizations of the Board of Sponsors join forces to spread the message that early detection of breast cancer followed by prompt treatment saves lives.

The American Cancer Society programs that are available to achieve these goals include:

National Cancer Information Center

Trained Cancer Information Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer the comfort of live support and to answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources in their communities, and provide information on local events. Spanish-speaking information specialists are available, and callers who speak languages other than English and Spanish can also be assisted. To reach the NCIC, call 1-800-227-2345.

Email National Cancer Information Center

The American Cancer Society's email center is a cancer information service that allows cancer patients, their families, and the public to ask questions about cancer and receive prompt and unbiased information from a Cancer Information Specialist or an oncology nurse. Visit the Society's Web site at www.cancer.org and click on "contact us."

American Cancer Society Web site

The Society's user-friendly Web site (www.cancer.org) includes an interactive cancer resource center containing in-depth information on every major cancer type. The site answers questions about breast cancer, risk factors, strategies for early detection, new diagnostic techniques, and the latest treatment options. Additionally, select content is available in Spanish. Visit the part of our Web site dedicated to breast cancer at www.cancer.org/breastcancer.

The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer

The Society provides a complete set of recommendations for detecting breast cancer early, emphasizing the need for women aged 40 and older to get a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

To reduce disparities in breast cancer among medically underserved populations, the American Cancer Society is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote the need for and importance of their National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) The NBCCEDP provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening tests and follow-up services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.

The Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients

This publication helps breast cancer patients make informed decisions about their treatment. The Treatment Guidelines series is published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Reach to Recovery^®

The Reach to Recovery^® program, facilitated by trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, helps newly diagnosed breast cancer patients cope with their disease by providing emotional support and information. The survivor-volunteers can also remind newly diagnosed patients about the importance of continuing to get their annual mammograms following treatment for the disease.

Look Good...Feel Better^®

This free, national public service program is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council (formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, or CTFA), and the National Cosmetology Association. Look Good…Feel Better^® is dedicated to teaching female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during cancer treatments. Services include two-hour group makeover workshops and one-on-one salon consultations. The program also provides educational materials.

Tender Loving Care^®

"tlc"^® is a "magalog" (magazine and catalog in one) that provides medical information and special products for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, and any woman experiencing treatment-related hair loss. This convenient, nationwide catalog is sent directly to homes upon request. Products in "tlc"^® include a variety of hats, turbans, kerchiefs, hairpieces, mastectomy bras, and breast forms. Silicone prostheses are also offered.

I Can Cope^®

I Can Cope^® is a series of educational classes is for people with cancer and their families and friends. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals provide information about cancer, encouragement, and practical hints through presentations and class discussions.

Cancer Survivors Network^®

The Cancer Survivors Network^® is an online community created by and for cancer survivors and their families to share their cancer-related experiences, support one another, and exchange practical tips learned while living with the challenges of cancer.  Available at www.cancer.org/csn, features of the Cancer Survivors Network include dicussion boards, chat rooms, personal web space for members, and a resource library created by members.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

This nonprofit, nonpartisan, sister organization of the American Cancer Society uses issue campaigns and voter education aimed at lawmakers and candidates to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer. ACS CAN volunteers can help by contacting their lawmakers to ask for their support of important cancer-related issues. In accordance with the Society's access to health care efforts, the Society and ACS CAN advocate for important legislation and public programs that provide increased access to breast cancer screenings and follow-up care for a greater proportion of uninsured women.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer^®

A nationwide series of noncompetitive walking events, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer^® is designed to raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer. In 2008 alone, nearly 600,000 walkers across the country colected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

Relay For Life^®

This unique community event celebrates survivorship and raises money for cancer-fighting programs. Teams of eight to 15 people camp out overnight at a local stadium, park, or fairground and take turns walking around a track or path for 12 to 24 hours. The event usually begins with a survivor lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. Later, a candlelight ceremony is held to honor cancer survivors and remember those lost to the disease. Relay For Life^® events bring together more than 3.5 million people in the United States and 19 other countries to celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Mammogram Reminder

This easy-to-use email system is designed to ensure that women aged 40 and older remember to get their annual mammogram. This interactive tool will send an email message each year reminding users to "Please, schedule your mammogram today." The mammogram reminder system also allows users to send reminders to the important women in their lives, so they will remember to get their mammograms, too. Every woman deserves a mammogram every year. To sign up for a mammogram reminder or send one to someone else go to www.cancer.org/breastcancer and click on the link "mammogram reminder."

Research

In keeping with our history of supporting scientific research, the Society has been collaborating with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) since 2004 to promote the Sister Study, a nationwide study to learn about the environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer. Support for this study is consistent with the Society's leadership role of leveraging our scientific credibility and unique position to support innovative, high-impact research. With the help of the Society and other partners, the Sister Study enrolled 50,000 women whose sisters have had breast cancer for this 10-year study.

In addition to supporting enrollment in the Sister Study, the Society takes a direct role in funding breast cancer-related research through its extramural research grants program.  Some of the areas being investigated by Society grantees include: how diet interacts with genetics to influence breast cancer risk, a new breast cancer therapeutic vaccine, the effects of some treatments on thinking and meory, and the causes and treatment of lymphedema.

Last Medical Review: 08/30/2009
Last Revised: 08/30/2009