Tax check-off contributions fund studies in breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment
 
OAKLAND -- California taxpayers have the opportunity to play an important role in breast cancer research by adding a contribution to the California Breast Cancer Research Fund on line 57 of the State Income Tax Form 540.
 
Contributions to this fund are automatically tax deductible and go directly to the California Breast Cancer Research Program, one of the largest breast cancer research funding agencies in the United States. The program has awarded more than $164 million to California researchers who focus on innovative methods of preventing, detecting, and treating breast cancer.
 
Line 57 contributions support unique studies, such as looking for links between environmental factors and the risk of developing breast cancer; finding ways to prevent breast cancer using natural agents like broccoli and mushrooms; and improving ways to live well after a breast cancer diagnosis.
 
Research funded by Line 57 contributions include:
 
- Dr. Shiuan Chen (Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope) is studying whether an extract of white button mushrooms can reliably and safely lower a woman's breast cancer risk by blocking aromatase, an enzyme that controls estrogen production. 
 
- Dr. Stanley Rockson and his team (Stanford University) are studying lymphedema ­- the chronic, painful arm swelling and mobility loss that develops in up to 25 percent of breast cancer survivors ­- to understand why it occurs and who has the highest risk for developing this debilitating side effect.
 
"If every Californian gave even one dollar, our ability to fund dynamic research would double," says Mhel Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program.
 
More information about tax check-off contributions can be found at:
 
www.endbreastcancer.org
 

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About the California Breast Cancer Research Program
 
The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program is to eliminate breast cancer by leading innovation in research, communication and collaboration in the California scientific and lay communities.

Created by the California Legislature in 1993, the program is the largest state-funded breast cancer research program in the nation and is administered by the University of California Office of the President.

To date, the program has awarded 672 grants to 73 scientific institutions and community entities, totaling more than $164 million for research in California to prevent, treat and cure breast cancer. Grants from the program fill gaps not traditionally funded by other research programs to jump-start new areas of investigation that push the boundaries of research and foster new collaborations.

The California Breast Cancer Research Program is funded through the voluntary tax check-off program on personal income tax form 540, a portion of the state tobacco tax, and individual contributions; 95 percent of all funds go to research and education.

For more information, please call (888) 313-2277, or visit: www.CABreastCancer.org