Rita Arditti was a friend to Breast Cancer Action and to every woman with cancer. She died on December 25, 2009 at the age of 75, after living with metastatic breast cancer for many years. Partner, mother, grandmother, sister, activist biologist, truth teller . . . . There are so many words that describe Rita, and no way to capture all she was to so many people.

>>> Click here to read more about Rita Arditti

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In this issue:

New Study Points to Problems with Breast Cancer Screening

A BCA Summer Intern's Story: An Interview with Alice Price-Styles

On Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

The "Scientific" Argument for Cheer: An Excerpt from Barbara Ehrenreich's new book, Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America

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This week, our Executive Director Barbara Brenner and Board Member Jane Zones are at the 32nd Annual SABCS, an event said to "[encompass] the full spectrum of breast cancer research and [facilitate] the rapid transition of new knowledge into improved care for breast cancer patients".

Click here to read Barbara's and Jane's updates from the symposium, with the latest information about what scientists, clinicians and other attendees are discussing!

Board member Vernal Branch was featured as part of CURE's coverage of SABCS! Read "Advocating for the African American Community," an article on her great work.

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Mammography screening is in the news again. The US Prevention Services Task Force has announced new guidelines for breast cancer screening that would mean women get fewer mammograms. This is good news.

Read BCA’s analysis of the new recommendations here. On the issue of prevention, click here for information on why words matter.

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BCA's victorious 2008 Think Before You Pink campaign, "Yoplait: Put a Lid on it" won the first place 2009 BENNY Award from the Business Ethics Network. The annual BENNY Awards recognize outstanding corporate campaign victories.

Learn about the campaign here.

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BCA is targeting Eli Lilly with this year's Think Before You Pink campaign.

Eli Lilly is now the sole manufacturer of rBGH — the artificial growth hormone given to dairy cows that increases people’s risk of cancer. Eli Lilly also manufactures breast cancer treatment medications and a pill that “reduces the risk” of breast cancer. It's a perfect profit circle. Eli Lilly is milking cancer. Tell them to stop making rBGH.

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BCA's testimony at the FDA helped to secure a victory for patients.

The Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee opposed Ortho Biotech’s request to approve Doxil for metastatic breast cancer.    We will make sure the FDA Commissioner follows the committee’s recommendation. Read BCA's statement here.

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BCA is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed on May 12, challenging Myriad Genetics' patents on BRCA1 and BRCA2, the “breast cancer genes.”

Read our press release to learn more about the case and why BCA joined it.

BCA is the only breast cancer organization involved in the suit because we are the watchdogs of the breast cancer movement and we don't take money from companies that profit from or contribute to cancer.

Your support makes this important work possible!

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The California Safe Cosmetics Act, which BCA cosponsored and helped to pass in 2005, has finally begun implementation!  Cosmetics manufacturers are now required to report any ingredients in their products known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.  Learn more about the California Safe Cosmetics Program.

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