Founded in 1991 by a group of women concerned with the lack of attention being paid to breast cancer, the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) spurred Massachusetts to become the first state to declare breast cancer an epidemic. MBCC founded its sister organization, Silent Spring Institute, in 1994, to research the link between the environment and breast cancer. MBCC is the leading breast cancer advocacy organization in Massachusetts.
With a focus on prevention, MBCC’s goal is to work towards eradicating breast cancer for future generations. While grateful for efforts toward early detection and treatment, MBCC is dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy and changes to public policy. By advocating for the investigation of chemicals linked to cancer in air, water, soil, food and consumer products, MBCC seeks to protect current and future generations from exposure in the home, community and in the workplace. MBCC is currently developing Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures, an educational program to increase discussions between health professionals and patients about environmental toxic exposures.
Through a growing action network of advocates and volunteers, annual fundraising events and community education initiatives including videos and other media, MBCC effectively engages its supporters and those who want to learn more about breast cancer prevention. MBCC’s unique approach to preventing breast cancer continues to influence public policy on both local and national scales, and strives every day for the eradication of breast cancer.
