The Virginia Center for Breast Cancer Awareness was established in 2001 to foster awareness of current breast cancer screening guidelines, promote earlier detection of cancer, and inform the public about ongoing breast cancer research here at EVMS, including clinical trials and basic science. The idea for the Center was conceived by the EVMS Department of Surgery and the EVMS Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women today and the number of women affected each year is rising.

Although the death rate has decreased for the first time in many years, breast cancer is still the second most common cause of cancer death in women today.

Only through RESEARCH (early detection, understanding cancer biology, prevention modalities) can we decrease the incidence of breast cancer and improve survival.

In the Year 2006 (courtesy of the American College of Surgeons)

• 212,920 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
• In Virginia, 6,080 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• 40,970 women will die of breast cancer in the United States.
• In Virginia, 1,170 women will die of breast cancer.