Following Her Push, Gillibrand Helps Secure $150 Million In Federal Funding For Breast Cancer Research
Statement
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that, following her push, the recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act authorized $150 million for the Department of Defense peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program (DoD BRCP) to continue progress in the fight against breast cancer. Earlier this year, Senator Gillibrand led a bipartisan letter with 28 of her Senate colleagues to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to maintain the level of funding for this vital program.
"Since its creation, the Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Program has been at the forefront of groundbreaking science that is changing the face of cancer research," said Senator Gillibrand. "As breast cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers in the United States, with about 1 in 8 women estimated to be diagnosed in their lifetime, this funding will ensure that the DoD BRCP will be able to continue to support innovative research models that will help to develop new treatment and testing methods. I am proud that I was able to help secure this critical funding; it is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer."
Since its inception, the DoD BCRP has generated new approaches to breast cancer prevention, treatment, and detection. The DoD BCRP is innovative not only because of the unique research that is performed, but also because it is so efficient and flexible. Over 90% of the funds go directly to research grants, awarded only to the best projects through a competitive process. The program quickly responds to current scientific advances and fill gaps by focusing on research that is traditionally under-funded. The program is committed to making scientific breakthroughs in the fight against breast cancer.
Research has shown that breast cancer rates among female service members are significantly higher than in the general civilian population. The DOD BCRP leads the way in generating new approaches to breast cancer prevention, treatment, and detection.
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