American Cancer Society

ACS is a nationwide community-based voluntary organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, and service.  Prevention, detection and service-related education materials, including pamphlets, posters, handbooks, and audiovisuals that are ethnically specific, are available.  In addition, Spanish language materials have been developed on topics such as smoking, prostate cancer, breast self-examination, and skin cancer.  Requests for materials should be made through local ACS chapters.  Bulk quantities of publications are available for a fee.

Breast Cancer Information Clearinghouse

The mission of  the Breast Cancer Information Clearinghouse is to be a repository for all current information  about breast cancer which will allow patients, survivors and advocates to do 'one stop shopping' for information about this disease.  It is also a goal that an on-line survivors network can be established which will allow patients to communicate with someone who has experienced the same or a similar prognosis and treatment.

Established in 1995, information currently accessible includes patient education materials from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, links to the NCI CancerNet system, listings of support groups, articles from the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organization's newsletter, and state and federal legislation relating to breast cancer.

National Action Plan on Breast Cancer

The mission of the NAPBC is to serve as a catalyst to ensure rapid progress in areas of breast cancer knowledge, research, policy, and services.  Initiated in 1993, the organization responds to a need for a coordinated national strategy to combat breast cancer through public/private partnerships.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Public Health Service efforts have included the development of a National Strategic Plan for the Early Detection and Control of Breast and Cervical Cancers to ensure that every woman for whom it is deemed appropriate receives regular screening from breast and cervical cancers, prompt follow-up if necessary, and certainty that the tests are performed in accordance with current recommendations for quality assurance.  This national program brings critical breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women, particularly women of low income, racial/ethnic minorities, and oder women.  CDC provides national program leadership in collaboration with other Federal agencies, professional, national, voluntary, and consumer organizations.

 National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations

 NABCO is a nonprofit organization that provides information and educational materials on mammography and breast cancer, promotes affordable detection and treatment, advocates legislation mandating insurance coverage for screening mammograms, and advocates nationally for breast cancer patients.  NABCO coordinates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and produces a program kit each year, as well as an extensive bibliography of materials on all aspects of breast cancer.

National Cancer Institute

The NCI conducts and coordinates federally sponsored research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer. Consumer materials available on the causes of cancer, cancer prevention, the immune system, and research progress on various types of cancer.  Patient education materials are available on many different types of cancer, cancer treatment, and cancer diagnosis.  Spanish language materials are available on cancer causes and prevention, smoking cessation, the Pap test, chemotherapy, control of cancer pain, and radiation therapy.  Bilingual publications have been prepared on anticancer pharmaceuticals and health promotion for women.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, who died from breast cancer.  The Foundation has become a national organization with a network of volunteers fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment.  The Foundation distributes two Hispanic breast health videos and fact sheets on Hispanic Women and Breast Cancer and African American Women and Breast Cancer.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization

Founded in 1978, Y-ME is a non-profit consumer oriented organization that provides information, referral, and emotional support to individuals concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer.  Its national tool-free Hotline is staffed by trained staff and volunteers who have experienced breast cancer.  Breast cancer awareness is promoted through educational workshops and a bimonthly newsletter.  A wig and prosthesis bank is available for those in need.  A twelve-minute video describing the program is also available.

YWCA Encoreplus®

This Little Rock, Arkansas program is 16 months old. It has reached 5500 women through educational outreach, and has enrolled 550 women as members, whom it tracks and communicates with about their annual screenings. This program exists to reduce the mortality rate of breast and cervical cancer in Arkansas by increasing the number of women who regularly obtain annual screening exams for early detection. The target population is medically underserved women age 40 and over in central Arkansas, but all Arkansas women are included. The program educates women about the need for early detection and helps them overcome barriers to getting their screening exams. Hotline: 1-888-663-3914.