Brazil Launches Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas
SAO PAULO–November 7, 2007– Today, Brazil became the first country to launch the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas – a groundbreaking initiative uniting experts from the United States of America, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico in the fight against breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death for women worldwide, is the leading cause of death for women in South America, and is the leading cause of death from cancer among Brazilian women. Recognizing that the global challenge of breast cancer is beyond the capacity of any one partner or sector to address, this unique Partnership – facilitated by the U.S. Department of State – is bringing together distinguished medical professionals and breast cancer awareness advocates from Brazil and the United States in an effort to work collectively in the areas of awareness, research, training, community outreach, and women’s empowerment.
Partners to work in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre
Through this initiative, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center will join with the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo, Associação Brasileira do Câncer, and Se Toque to increase research, training and community outreach efforts. These partners will work in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre to equip the women of Brazil with the knowledge and confidence they need to take charge of their own health.
Committed activists, survivors, physicians, scientists and representatives from partner organizations gathered at Auditório do SESC, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, to formally launch the program. Featured speakers at the event included U.S. Ambassador Clifford Sobel; Dr. Claudio Lottenberg, President of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; Dr. Ricardo Brentani, President of the Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo; Hadassah F. Lieberman, Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure; and Dr. Kendra Woods from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Danilo Santos de Miranda of SESC. Also speaking at the event was Claudia Luna, a breast cancer survivor who shared her inspirational experiences in coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Groundbreaking international collaboration
This partnership represents an expansion of the U.S. – Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, launched by First Lady Laura Bush at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Mission Conference in June 2006. Through this groundbreaking international collaboration, partners are developing efforts aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge about breast cancer, its early detection, and its treatment. From community needs assessments to bilateral medical exchanges, the activities will adapt and apply proven organizational, awareness, and medical models to develop long-term sustainability and programs that can be used throughout the region.
Partnership to improve awareness and world-class research
The Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas is uniting experts from the United States of America, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico in the fight against breast cancer. The Partnership is a locally initiated and locally distributed initiative to increase early detection and reduce mortality through improved awareness, increased clinical resources, and world-class research. Together, partners in this initiative will work to build capacity in the region focusing on the areas of awareness-building, grassroots advocacy support, research, training, community outreach, and women’s empowerment.
The Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas includes:
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Responsible for managing and promoting U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development. The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and the regional Bureau are working with partners in the Americas to generate broad-based growth through free trade and sound economic policies; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
One of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. Since 1944, almost 700,000 patients have turned to M. D. Anderson for cancer care in the form of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or combinations of these and other treatments. M. D. Anderson is also a leader in cancer research and education, championing distance learning opportunities and sharing knowledge around the globe.
The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE)
HIAE holds a leading position among the Latin American hospital institutions. It was the first institution to be certified by the Joint Commission International outside the United States. The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein offers medicine which incorporates cutting-edge international scientific and technological advancements. In addition to its high complexity facilities, the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein places great emphasis on the social responsibility role it has in Brazilian society.
Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo
One of Latin America’s main cancer treatment, teaching and research centers, treats over 800 types of medically-identified tumors in an integrated way among 36 specialties. The Hospital is maintained by the Antônio Prudente Foundation and occupies 35,000 square meters of a modern structure, personalized for patient treatment and family stay. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and modern treatment techniques are used in the over 470,000 consultations done each year. Research and education make up one of the institution’s main pillars. Since it was founded in 1953, half of Brazil’s practicing oncologists have graduated from its School of Oncology.