ERADICATION OF BREAST CANCER

WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer will be diagnosed in 184,300 women and will claim the lives of 44,300 women in the United States in 1996; and

WHEREAS, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found that teachers have shown significantly higher mortality rates than other professions (114 percent higher for African-American teachers and 62 percent higher for white teachers); and

WHEREAS, the National Cancer Institute notes that screening and early detection using techniques such as breast self-exam, clinical breast exam, mammography and biopsy, can lead to early diagnosis and treatment resulting in five-year survival rates after diagnosis of 90 percent or better; and

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers has been committed to reducing breast and cervical cancer mortality through the AFT Breast and Cervical Cancer Education and Detection Project taking collective responsibility for the health and well-being of our members; and

WHEREAS, that the American Federation of Teachers join with the National Breast Cancer Coalition to eradicate breast cancer through education, advocacy, research, information dissemination and legislative support:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers and the National Breast Cancer Coalition encourage Congress to appropriate $2.6 billion for high-quality, peer-reviewed breast cancer research dealing with risk factors, diagnostic and screening steps, treatment options and survival rates by the year 2000; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers support further federal commitment to eradicate breast cancer through increased outreach and education programs and the regulation and provision of treatment and other services in specific agencies and departments, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Care Financing Administration, the Department of Education, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers support the equal access of all women over the age of 40 to high-quality screening mammography at appropriate intervals and receive insurance coverage for an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers fight to eliminate discrimination against breast cancer survivors and persons with genetic predisposition both in employment and the provision of health insurance; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers work to ensure that bone marrow transplants and other therapies helpful in treating breast cancer be covered by the health insurance provided to union members.