National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

National Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services.

NBCF aims to:

1. Increase access to early detection screening by offering free mammograms and diagnostic services to women and patients in need.

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. There is currently no known cure for breast cancer, and its early diagnosis is critical to survival. When breast cancer is found in the earliest, localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. The best way to find breast cancer early is to follow a regular screening program.

2. Provide education to women and families about how they can:

• Reduce the risk of developing breast cancer
• Find breast cancer early
• Access screening programs and eliminate barriers to quality treatment if later diagnosed

Many women and families are unaware of the importance of early detection of breast cancer or that services are available to help them navigate the complex healthcare system. Studies have shown that people who are uninformed about their health are less likely to take advantage of early detection services like mammograms. These women are at a higher risk of dying from breast cancer because they are diagnosed at a later stage when the disease is harder to treat.

3. Offer support services that help now and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer

No one should face breast cancer alone. Having the support of others is an important part of breast cancer survivorship, whether at the point of diagnosis or at any stage of the breast cancer journey. Patients facing breast cancer need comfort, encouragement, and a place to engage in healthy dialogue in order to reduce the stress and anxiety of diagnosis and treatment.

Sometimes breast cancer metastasizes or spreads to other parts of the body – lungs, brain, liver, or bones. Metastatic breast cancer patients face a unique set of emotions and challenges. They often feel misunderstood, ignored, and even isolated from other breast cancer survivors. Studies have shown that metastatic breast cancer patients need improved interventions and support to increase their quality of life.

- Create a community and provide support for women, family, friends, survivors, and anyone else touched by breast cancer to share their stories, ask questions and get answers.
- Educate the public at large about the significance of early detection while providing the breast health resources and knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.
- Provide funding to support a variety of early detection services for underserved women to gain access to medical care.

NBCF's program delivery tools include the following:
- Patient Navigator and Patient Services: Provides grants to hospitals in all 50 states to deliver a variety of diagnostic services, as well as outreach services, to underserved women.
- Breast Health Education Program: BHE provides breast cancer education and early detection services to women at community outreaches across the country. NBCF educates women about the importance of early detection and informs them about resources that are available in their community. Women are given the opportunity to receive free clinical breast exams from nurse practitioners.

NBCF has developed the aforementioned programs in order to dramatically decrease the barriers to breast health care, education and support. We have been able to reach all 50 states in the past 5 years through hospital and facility relationships. We continue to work with a variety of sponsors, organizations, and individuals to help raise awareness, and have formed partnerships with 3rd party organizations to help create and deliver breast health education to a targeted population of underserved women in need. NBCF is always striving to bring our programs to any and all women, and we hope to be able to one day fully fund all of the grant requests that come in our door, as the need is still bigger than our ability to financially fulfill it.