Breast cancer takes a tremendous toll on women and men of all ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as their families and communities. Breast cancer also has a huge impact on the health care system that treats and monitors those people who have been diagnosed with the disease and provides end-of-life care for those who die from it. Prevention is the key to reducing the emotional, physical, and financial burden of breast cancer. Despite decades of productive breast cancer research, the number of women diagnosed with the disease continues to rise. In 2012, about 227,000 women and 2,200 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,000 women will die from it (American Cancer Society, 2012).

Even after ALS had silenced her vocal chords, Barbara Brenner’s powerful voice continued to send tremors into the medical establishment.

Women’s Voices for the Earth is a national organization that works to eliminate toxic chemicals that impact women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices and government policies.