The National Breast Cancer Coalition: Setting the Standard for Advocate Collaboration in Clinical Trials

6. Conclusion

The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund revolutionized the model of educated advocates and clinical trials. Through the Clinical Trials Initiative and ongoing efforts, the Coalition educates, empowers and enables advocates to make a meaningful contribution to the clinical trials research process, and sets the standard for excellence in those trials through their stringent evaluation process.

Despite the impressive accomplishments of the Coalition, neither the best treatments nor the cure for breast cancer is known. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States and worldwide (excluding skin cancer). In 2005, it is estimated that 269,730 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S (after lung cancer); approximately 40,410 women in the U.S. will die from the disease in 2005.

These numbers will only decrease when prevention and a cure for the disease are found. Until then, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund will continue to bring the power of advocacy to influence science and industry in the pursuit of ending breast cancer.