Grassroots Breast Cancer Advocacy and the Environment
A Report on Interviews with Grassroots Leaders

Executive Summary

In 2004, Silent Spring Institute launched a program of outreach among leaders of grassroots breast cancer organizations. Our aim was to interview these leaders to learn about their current priorities and, in particular, how they view environmental issues in relation to breast cancer advocacy.

We began by conducting interviews with 56 leaders in the US and Canada. Results of the interviews showed a substantial interest in the environment among leaders of grassroots organizations.

• 45% said questions about environmental factors had come up for their organization.
  
• 70-82% rated as “very important” research about workplace chemicals, air pollution, pesticides, household chemicals, drinking water, and endocrine disrupting compounds.
  
• On average, grassroots leaders said 47% of the breast cancer research dollar should be spent on environmental research.
  
• 23% are actively addressing local environmental issues.
  
  Please click here to view a pdf of the full report.