Linking the BHGI and other Hutchinson Center scientists and programs with the Shanghai CDC's programs will provide major advantages both to the U.S. and Chinese research communities by defining and resource-appropriate solutions for breast cancer care programs for China, according to Anderson, who is a researcher in the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division and director of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's Breast Health Clinic.

"The prevention, early detection and multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer are important strategies for promoting health and extending a healthy life span," said Shanghai CDC Director Wu Fan, M.D. "The agreement to establish the Shanghai Breast Health Resource Center is an important step in effectively addressing breast cancer, especially to improving breast cancer screening and early detection, which are considered to be the most effective and affordable ways for a rapid reduction of breast cancer disease burden in developing countries like China."

BHGI, co-sponsored by the Hutchinson Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure?®, pioneered development of comprehensive resource-sensitive, evidence based clinical guidelines for international breast health and cancer control to improve breast cancer outcomes in low- and middle-resource countries through the collaboration of an alliance of dedicated organizations and individuals.This isn't the first time that Hutchinson Center research has focused on breast cancer in Shanghai. The results of a 12-year-long, landmark study among 267,000 female textile workers, published in 2003, found that women who received intensive instruction in breast self-exam suffered no fewer deaths from breast cancer than women who did not. The study's lead researcher, David Thomas, M.D., is a senior adviser to the BHGI.

Source: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center