BCPP Releases Landmark Agenda to Stop Breast Cancer Before It Starts: Paths to Prevention

SAN FRANCISCO, September 9, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) released its groundbreaking Paths to Prevention: The California Breast Cancer Primary Prevention Plan, the visionary action plan offering societal-level policy changes, rather than individual actions, to reduce breast cancer rates.

Developed by BCPP, with input from many stakeholders, Paths to Prevention provides a unique agenda for change that uses a social justice lens to weave together science and community wisdom. In this Plan, a total of 300+ interventions amongst 23 breast cancer risk factors are addressed. This includes topics like toxic chemicals, workplace exposures, structural barriers to a healthy diet and physical activity, and the impact of racism and poverty. Paths to Prevention offers a strategic, forward-thinking Plan of local, regional, and statewide actions to prevent breast cancer for all.

Nancy Buermeyer, Senior Policy Strategist of BCPP, explains, “We're privileged to lead the development of Paths to Prevention and deeply appreciate the wisdom and commitment of so many contributors. Now begins even harder work of turning this extraordinary Plan into action to benefit ALL Californians and hopefully the rest of the country.”

Including community wisdom in the development of Paths to Prevention gave voice to the experience of people typically under-represented and under-valued in science and public policy. The interventions were developed with leadership from those most impacted and reflect the ethos of “Don’t do anything for me without me.”

“Although Black women die at some of the highest rates from breast cancer, there is rarely a justice-centered approach to tackling the intersectional issues that contribute to the morbidity and mortality,” said Janette Robinson Flint, Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness. “This new Plan is looking upstream and tackles how issues such as environmental factors as well as historic institutionalized racism in our society are inexorable factors in working to end breast cancer.”

With one in eight women facing breast cancer, this groundbreaking CA Plan, funded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), will serve as a model for the whole country and beyond. And while the focus of Paths to Prevention is breast cancer, the policy recommendations can reduce risk for numerous other cancers and diseases.

“BCPP is presenting California with a gift that draws from the best of science, advocacy, and community voices,” said Marion (Mhel) H. E. Kavanaugh-Lynch, MD, MPH, Director of CBCRP. “This gift is a remarkable blueprint to make California a state where breast cancer is a rare occurrence. By implementing this plan, we will save lives and lead the rest of the country to systemic breast cancer prevention.”

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) is the leading national science-based, policy and advocacy organization focused on preventing breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals. Using science translation, education, advocacy, and corporate accountability campaigns, we work to save lives. Visit www.bcpp.org.

Source: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners