Does Breast Cancer get more press than it should?

The question from Hillery Clinton concerning Breast Cancer has got more responses (5100) than the number of women who will die from Breast Cancer this year (approx. 4100 expected for 2006). America is currently spending about $10 in research money for each person who will face this disease this year.





10 times as many women(41,000) will die this year from Heart Disease every year but we spend only dedicate about $3.00 per occurance in research money.





This seems a little out-of whack to me. Shouldn't we be spending the most to cure the diseases that kill the most?

Does Breast Cancer get more press than it should?
Breast cancer does not get more press than it should. Heart disease gets LESS press than it should. You don't have to take away from one to benefit the other. People just need to be made aware that heart disease is by far the number one killer of women, and that research in male heart disease does not necessarily apply to heart disease in women. It isn't only research money that is at stake, it's knowledge. Women can identify potentially cancerous masses through self exams, through annual mammograms, through regular visits to the doctor. We all know at least that basic information, thanks in large part to the money that is being spent on education, not just research. And because of that, brease cancer is treatable, with an over 90% five-year survival rate if it's caught early. We need to do the same with heart disease because that survival rate is only around 40%. We need to educate people, not only in the drastically higher chance of having heart disease, but in the steps we can take to prevent and identify it. We also need to focus on the basic differences in the disease between men and women. Doctors have only recently discovered that heart disease in women is very different from heart disease in men. We are still learning about the different symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment for female heart disease.





Breast cancer is largely a woman's disease, and so women rally behind it. Heart disease has long been thought to be a man's disease, so women have not been concerned about developing it.





As far as spending the most to cure the disease that kills the most, it's a bit of a popularity game. A great deal of the funding for research is from private donations, and people donate to charities that have meaning to them. Until heart disease education and research has the support of the people, it won't get the money. Steps are being taken to bring it to our attention, including the Red Dress Project. You've seen how the pink ribbon has helped draw attention to breast cancer - here's a symbol that can do the same for heart disease.
Reply:Yes it does.
Reply:hmmm....if you had watched your mother die a miserable death from breast cancer I don't think you'd think anything was out of whack. I think the fact that one penny was spent on "E.D." rather than saving lives...THAT is out of what. Know one ever died from not getting a stiffie.
Reply:my grandma has breast cancer and i feel that what they are doing is not enough for BOTH. i mean they are both really bad killers in women but by asking this you are going to get answers like mine ill go with breast cancer and somebody who knows somebody with heart problem will go with that one. your question is too hard to answer but hopefully we will find cure for both.
Reply:No, there needs to be more press on it. People need to hear more about it, the warnings and everything that goes along with it. Women need to know all they can, causes, cures, treatments, EVERYTHING.
Reply:Cancer kills a lot of people. In fact, I think, but don't quote me on it, it is the second leading cause of death in the US. I think the more press it gets the better. "The More You Know"! You know?
Reply:Both should be on the top of the list. Both are attacking women. Now more than ever people are letting us know what to look for when it comes to a heart attack. Before it was known i had a heart attact. I used common sense and went to the hospital and got treatment. I am fine now. They have to keep letting women know what they have to do to prevent this and what to do if you symptoms. Really the public is aware now about this so it is up to them to do the research about the preventable measures.

BIRD