HUMANE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Breast Cancer Action

The number of breast cancer charities can be overwhelming—each October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, seems to be drowning in pink. But not all charities employ the tactic of "pinkwashing." Breast Cancer Action (BCA) is an organization dedicated to making real progress in eradicating breast cancer while holding accountable other organizations and policymakers who do little to end the breast cancer epidemic.

BCA is critical of the strong influence the pharmaceutical industry has over the drug approval process and advocates for policies that promote more effective and less toxic medicine. Current regulations allow drugs to speed through the approval process, resulting in potentially dangerous or useless prescriptions. BCA opposes these accelerated approvals with success. Most recently, BCA's efforts led the Food and Drug Administration to deny approval for a Genentech drug that had not gone through the necessary clinical trials for safety and efficacy.

Environmental exposures can put people at risk for breast cancer, and BCA works to decrease involuntary exposure to these carcinogens. BCA also raises awareness about social injustices that cause disparity in breast cancer outcomes, working to bring vital information and programs to underserved communities.

Perhaps best-known for its "Think Before You Pink" campaign, BCA calls for more accountability and transparency in companies that participate in breast cancer fundraising. Companies and charities use pink to bring attention to breast cancer, but some of their campaigns can be misguided. In 2010, BCA took on KFC and Komen for the Cure's "Buckets for the Cure" campaign, which prompted consumers to buy buckets of KFC chicken to support breast cancer research. Aside from the health risks inherent to eating chicken, KFC's grilled chicken contains PhIP, a known carcinogen. BCA brought widespread attention to this issue, advocating for better methods of raising awareness.

BCA is inspiring change in the breast cancer movement by challenging common assumptions and promoting more ethical, effective policy. To learn more about BCA and breast cancer—without being bombarded by pink—please visit www.BCAction.org.

Humane Charity Spotlight Archive