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The Susan G. Komen Foundation was established in 1982 by
Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. The Foundation is an international organization with a network of volunteers working through local Affiliates, fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.
The Foundation runs one of the most innovative, responsive, grant programs in breast cancer today. In addition to funding research, the Foundation and its Affiliates fund community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects for the medically underserved. Hundreds of thousands of women and men receive the life-saving message of early detection through Komen outreach efforts.
Today, breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 40-59, yet more than 80% of all breast cancer deaths occur in women 50 years of age and over. According to the most recent data, mortality rates for breast cancer have declined over the past years. Factors contributing to this decline have been reported to include increased awareness, earlier detection and improved treatment.
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