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Where Does the Money Go?

Examining the effectiveness of the money gained through breast cancer fundraisers
toward advancing research.


No matter where you go during the month of October, you wont make it far
without catching a glimpse of pink. Whether in the store, at a sporting event, or
even watching television, breast cancer gear and awareness runs rampant! Breast
cancer awareness products take over the marketplace; from NFL receiver gloves to
Yoplait yogurt lids, every base has been covered.

On top of the products, events are held all across the nation aimed at helping

the cause. Walks, 5ks, and even obstacle course events are held throughout the
month to raise money for breast cancer, but where does all of this money go?
Watchdog groups, activists, and survivors are calling for more research funding and
less pink saturation in the marketplace.

As Sandra Miniutti, vice president of marketing and CFO of Charity Navigator,

points out, breast cancer is one cause that tends to not only unify, but also pulls at
donors' heartstrings. Because of this emotional appeal, donors tend to blindly give
without doing the proper research into how effectively that particular charity or
product is allocating its funds toward breast cancer research and advancements.

One surefire way to assure that you are giving to a respectable cause is to

verify if the organization has 501(c) 3 designations. According to the IRS, The
organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests,
and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the
benefit of any private shareholder or individual."

After having used due diligence in finding a notable charity, you can rest

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assured that your funds are being utilized to continue the advancements in research
that are already taking place. Research dealing with breast cancer is widespread.
New advancements range from recently developing early detection techniques, to
various cutting-edge treatments, and even progress in life after cancer.

Detection is the first step involved in dealing with cancer, and breast cancer

is no different. Mammograms have been relied upon for many years, but newer and
experimental breast imaging methods are in the works. Research in this field is
being done to find more cancers even before they can be felt by the patient or
doctors, to find even smaller cancers than those now detected by mammograms, and
to find better ways to tell the difference between benign (not cancer) breast
conditions and breast cancers.

The American Cancer Society lays out the specifics behind a variety of these

breast imaging methods that are in the experimental stages. An example of one new
technology is scintimammography, a form of molecular breast imaging that some
radiologists believe may be helpful in looking at suspicious areas found by
mammogram. Current research is aimed at improving the technology and
evaluating its use in specific situations, such as in the dense breasts of younger
women. Early studies have suggested that it may be as accurate as more expensive
MRI scans.

Another promising newly developed imaging exam of the breast can be found

in Positron Emission Mammography (PEM). The PEM scanner is already FDA

approved. As the American Cancer Society suggests, Working much like a PET scan,
a PEM scan may be better able to detect cancer cells within the breast. PEM may be

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able to show breast cancer before it can be seen with mammograms and may be as
good as or better than breast MRI.

After detection occurs, many types of breast cancer are first treated with

surgery. According to CancerCare, about 2/3 of women with breast cancer are
diagnosed with early-stage disease. Ongoing studies have shown that their chances
of survival are equally good whether they have a mastectomy (full removal of the
breast) or a lumpectomy (removal of just the tumor with some surrounding tissue)
followed by radiation.

In the past, surgeons routinely cut out many lymph nodes in the underarm,

known as extensive axillary lymph node dissection, to find out whether the cancer
had metastasized, or spread. As a result of new research published in recent years,
routinely performing this surgery has been reconsidered. If women have only one
to three involved lymph nodes and are going to receive radiation, then they can opt
out of this procedure and in turn avoid the possibility of developing lymphedema, a
very painful swelling of the arm.

In addition to these new technologies and findings, there are a multitude of

clinical studies and trials being done to test out new medications for combating
breast cancer. The organization LBBC, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, is a very
helpful resource for women dealing with this disease. LBBC recognizes that women
from all walks of life are confronted with this illness and it affects them differently
based upon their particular circumstances. On the home page of their website, they
allow users to distinguish between newly diagnosed patients, metastatic breast
cancer cases, African-American women, triple-negative breast cancer, and young

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women, acknowledging that there are different conditions and trials that are
present with these varying specifications. Different clinical studies and
opportunities that may be more effective when geared toward a patients specific
circumstances can be found when diving into each category.

All in all, one thing is certain: there is hope. Each year when October rolls

around, now officially National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it never fails to
bring out the passionate nature of Americans in the fight for a cure and continuing
awareness and research efforts for breast cancer. Considering the numerous
amounts of products and fundraisers, there are many opportunities to make a
difference. Be sure to do your part!