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AMERICAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN IN NEED OF SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program helps women of any age receive services nationwide through financial grants and support programs

BALTIMORE (July 15, 2008)With Breast Cancer Awareness Month quickly approaching in October, the American Breast Cancer Foundation reminds women of any age that financial assistance is available nationwide. Founded in 1997, the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing education, research grants, diagnostic screening services and support services for women and men in financial need throughout the United States.

With early detection and treatment, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 98 percent. In 2007, an estimated 178,480 women and 2,030 men in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer; however, more than 40,000 women and 450 men reportedly died from the disease.

Its important that women know that help is available for screening and diagnostic tests, said Phyllis Wolf, president of the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Thousands of women go without annual breast cancer screening and delay diagnostic services each year despite repeated research confirming that early detection saves lives. We believe everyone deserves a fighting chance and we want to make sure these women and me know we are here to help. .

Through the Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program, direct assistance in the form of financial grants for annual mammogram screenings and breast cancer diagnostic tests to find or rule out breast cancer are made to men and women in need. Each year, approximately 10,000 people receive services as a result of direct financial assistance from the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Programming includes outreach to the Spanish-speaking population throughout the United States as well.

The Key to Life Program has been instrumental in helping us reach younger women, said Emily Alpert, Operations Director, Community Health Center in Brownsville, TX. We have only been able to get money for women over 50 years old until we found out about your program. Now we can help younger women get screenings and biopsies. This is great since the nearest safety net hospital is eight hours away. Thank you for all you do!

For patients with breast cancer and survivors, ABCF provides many services including referrals for patients and their families to assistance programs and support services in their local communities. Financial assistance is provided for patients in need of chemotherapy and medications so that treatment can begin and/or continue. ABCF funds transportation for breast cancer patients to attend treatment appointments. ABCF provides post-surgical homecare kits, chemotherapy wigs, breast prosthesis, and support/therapy garments for the treatment of Lymphodema to breast cancer patients.

Women in need of assistance through the Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program should call 877-KEY-2-LIFE (877-539-2543). Assistance is available for Spanish-speaking women as well at the same number.