Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation History

Susan Goodman Komen was born in 1943 and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She lived with the condition for 3 years after which she passed away. Susan's sister Nancy Goodman Brinker felt that the situation could have been avoided if people knew more about the manner in which breast cancer should be treated and cured. She made a promise to her sister that she would do all that was in her power to end breast cancer and to help find a cure for the condition. It was Nancy Goodman Brinker who founded the Susan G. Komen foundation that works towards removing breast cancer from the world.

The organization has never stopped in its fight against breast cancer. The organization has been a part of all the milestones that have been achieved in this area. More than 75 percent of women over 40 receive regular mammograms, the most effective way in which breast cancer can be detected early. The numbers were far lower before 1982 when it was just close to 30 percent.

Only 74 percent of the women diagnosed with breast cancer could expect to live for 5 years during 1982. This survival rate has now gone up to 98 percent. With the efforts of the organization and advocacy, the federal government devotes more than $900 million to breast cancer each year. There is research being carried out in this area to find more effective treatment options, prevention methods and various other cures for the condition.

The largest numbers of cancer survivors in America are breast cancer survivors, a number that is close to 2.5 million in America. The foundation is run by professional people who continue to fight against breast cancer in every way that they can. This involves fund raising, hiring talent for breast cancer research, creating awareness about the disease and ensuring that early detection can help matters.

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