Addressing a capacity audience of 300 mayors and others at the third annual forum and luncheon of the Mayors’ Campaign Against Breast Cancer, Dr. Dileep Bal, Chair of the Medical Affairs Committee of the American Cancer Society, reported on some disturbing statistics. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among African-American, Hispanic, and Asian women. While African-American women have a lower cancer incidence rate, they have a higher mortality rate from the disease.

He also spoke of the dilemma that poor women face when diagnosed with breast cancer. "There are funds for screening, but not for treatment," said Dr. Bal, noting that various sources, including donated services, must be put together at the state and local levels to meet this need. He urged the mayors to apprise both their state legislators and members of Congress of this service gap.

In promoting the importance of awareness, Dr. Bal showed three impressive and graphic videos in English and Spanish that feature Maya Angelou and Eartha Kitt emphasizing early detection. All were done by the California State Department of Health Services where Dr. Bal serves as Chief of the Cancer Control Branch. In line to become ACS president, he also called for more emphasis to be placed upon prevention, stating that 30 percent of cancers relate to tobacco and another 30 percent to diet.

Recognizing the importance of reaching the underserved, the forum theme, Greg Roberts, President and CEO of the Magic Johnson Foundation, described his organization’s intent to develop educational programs that are culturally sensitive to inner city women who are to be reached through the foundation’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative. This effort will include a public relations campaign with a video for inner city theaters, which will also serve as venues for mobile mammography. The Los Angeles-based foundation will also distribute grant funds to worthy organizations promoting breast cancer awareness in urban areas.

Explaining that Boston’s goal is to become a "cancer free city," Mayor Thomas Menino set forth the four elements of his breast cancer awareness campaign: (1) four hours off for city employees for breast and prostate cancer screening that do not count against their sick or vacation leave; (2) mobile mammography; (3) transportation for diagnosed women to treatment; and (4) a mailing to every city household to let women know about the importance of early detection and availability of mammography.

Hempstead, NY Mayor James Garner moderated the forum that was cosponsored by ACS and the Zeneca HealthCare Foundation. He remarked on the progress of the Mayors’ Campaign Against Breast Cancer by comparing numbers. At the 1998 annual meeting, 106 mayors belonged to the Campaign; this year the Campaign is 245 members strong. Launched by the USCM in November 1997, the Campaign is supported by a five-year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, a breast cancer survivor who worked with Mayor Garner to develop the Mayors’ Campaign, facilitated the open forum during which many of her colleagues also shared

their views. Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, also a breast cancer survivor, underscored Dr. Bal’s concern about social justice for breast cancer patients, noting that while she received excellent treatment, while in therapy she saw the suffering of many diagnosed women who were struggling to arrest their cancer with very limited resources.

Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer spoke of his breast cancer survivor mother and how her courage and success have inspired him to promote breast cancer awareness, accomplished through forums and a video for senior women called "A Stitch in Time."

Germantown, TN Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy told the mayors that she owes her full and happy life to the early detection of uterine cancer twenty-eight years ago and has translated that lesson to promotion of beast cancer screening through extensive city support of the Race for the Cure. She also advised an inner city African American church about the availability of Race for the Cure funds to further their awareness outreach efforts.

Calling upon her colleagues to use their bully pulpits to promote breast cancer awareness through public information efforts, Palatine, IL Mayor Rita Mullins said her city also pays for annual mammograms and prostate cancer exams for city employees.

Citing the special needs of African American women in Chesapeake, Virginia, as determined by a breast cancer assessment, Mayor William Ward talked about how churches followed up with outreach activities with physicians donating treatment services for diagnosed women.