U.S. National Non-Profit or Governmental Organizations

Note: The following directory of online government/nonprofit and commercial Web sites is provided merely as a reference to Imaginis.com users. Imaginis does not endorse and takes no responsibility whatsoever for the information found on the following Web sites.

The American Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.abcf.org) is a non-profit foundation devoted to helping women fight breast cancer through education and screening mammography. The organization is led by a volunteer Board of Directors whose mission is to provide early detection education, and screening services to those in need, no matter what age, race, sex, or financial challenge. The American Breast Cancer Foundation promotes health education and provides life saving breast cancer screening assistance through outreach events.

The American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/) is a premier breast cancer organization. ACS has a detailed Web site that covers a wide range of breast cancer and breast imaging topics including: breast cancer types and risk factors, physical examination for breast cancer, screening and diagnostic mammography, biopsy techniques, and breast cancer treatment options.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG;http://www.acog.org/) is a national medical organization representing over 46,000 physicians who provide health care for women. The site includes detailed information about breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment as well as updated ACOG press releases and news items. ACOG is geared toward health conscious women and health care professionals. The site also provides information on other women's conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, osteoporosis, and cervical/uterine cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (http://www.aicr.org) AICR is a cancer charity that fosters research on diet and cancer prevention and educates the public about the results. The AICR Web site includes the latest information and medical studies on cancer prevention and treatment.

The American Medical Association ( http://www.ama-assn.org/) website provides medical news and information for both patients and healthcare professionals. Patients can find medical information or locate a physician across the United States. AMA offers healthcare professionals news and clinical practice tools.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO; http://www.asco.org/) offers a variety of resources for breast cancer patients and professionals. Topics include an updated list of clinical trials, local resources, articles on breast cancer research, and more. Patients can also search for an oncologist or other Internet resources on breast cancer. ASCO has more than 21,500 physician members from over 100 countries.

The Breast Cancer Foundation of Arizona (http://www.bcfaz.com/) is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 and dedicated to breast cancer research, education and advocacy. The Arizona-based foundation is committed supported through a charity-based framework. The foundation organizes a variety of raffles and similar events to raise money for research and education. Its focus is on early diagnosis and early detection of breast cancer through patient contact and participation and research for the advancement of breast cancer detection through improvement of imaging techniques.

The Breast Cancer Fund (TBCF; http://www.breastcancerfund.org/) is a national non-profit organization focused on identifying the causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. Through public education, policy initiatives, outdoor challenges and other innovative campaigns, TBCF mobilizes the public to secure the changes needed to stop the epidemic of breast cancer. Its Web site includes information on breast cancer, with emphasis on environmental links to the disease.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength (http://www.networkofstrength.org/) has the mission to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Breast Cancer Network of Strength (Formerly Y-ME) was founded in 1978 by two breast cancer patients - Ann Marcou and the late Mimi Kaplan. It operates a 24 hour hotline (1.800.221.2141 English, 1.800.986.9505 Spanish), support services, and educational programs.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (http://www.bcrfcure.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to clinical and/or genetic research in breast cancer. Since its inception in 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has raised $90 million to support outstanding breast cancer research nationwide. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation accepts donations from individuals and corporations. Approximately 85% of each contribution goes directly to breast cancer research.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/) provides news on cancer research and information on federally funded cancer programs. For example, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection program provides free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests at several locations throughout the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mammography Program (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/) provides detailed information about quality standards required for all facilities performing mammography in the U.S. The site includes extensive information on MQSA (Mammography Quality Standards Act) and also answers a variety of frequently asked questions about mammography and FDA certified mammography locations. Perhaps its most important feature is the Mammography Site Database search engine (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmqsa/search.cfm). Women may search for a nearby FDA certified mammography facility by entering their state and zip code.

FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered; http://www.facingourrisk.org) is a non-profit organization for women whose family history and genetic status put them at high risk of getting ovarian cancer and/or breast cancer, and for members of families in which this risk is present. The Web site provides information and suggests links on topics related to breast cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment, coping with the loss of a loved one, and more.

Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test (http://www.earlier.org/) is an independent, non-profit organization that raises funds and awards grants for the research of new and improved methods for the earlier detection of breast cancer. The organization has awarded grants to the Duke University Cancer Center, the Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic Foundation, the AMC Cancer Research Center (Denver), and other centers. Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test enthusiastically accepts donations from individuals and corporations.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/) is a non-profit charitable foundation whose primary purpose is to provide continuing public education on the early detection of breast cancer and free to low-cost mammography screenings to individuals and organizations, most particularly, minorities, low-income, homeless, and working poor women. The NBCF Web site provides recent news articles on breast cancer as well as basic information on the disease.

The National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.org) provides detailed information on cancer statistics, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, coping with side effects of treatment, support groups, etc.

The National Cancer Institute Science Behind the News (http://rex.nci.nih.gov/behindthenews/) website is a wonderful source of cancer information for patients and the public. In addition to linking to the NCI's comprehensive Web site on cancer, this site provides information and illustrations on key cancer topics including: cancer formation, angiogenesis (blood vessel formation); estrogen receptors, tamoxifen and raloxifene; gene testing; and the immune system. Each section presents important information in an easy-to-read format with diagrams, charts, and other visual aids to aid readers in their understanding.

The National Consortium of Breast Centers (http://breastcare.org/) Web site provides information on locating breast centers and other facilities involved in breast health care. Patients may search a database of breast health facilities by city or state. The Web site also helps users locate services to enhance the administration, operation and marketing of breast health facilities. Information on the Annual National Multidisciplinary Breast Center Development conference is available for breast health professionals.

National Women's Health Information Center (http://www.4women.gov/) is a service of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services and provides information developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, other U.S. Federal agencies, and private sector resources. The NWHIC's section on breast cancer provides information on the scientific progress of fighting breast cancer (including advances in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment), the U.S. government's commitment to early breast cancer detection, quality of care and access to treatment, and new approaches to addressing breast cancer.

National Women's Health Resource Center (http://www.healthywomen.org/) maintains the "Healthy Women" Web site, which provides information on women's health topics A-Z. Topics include breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, allergies, weight issues, yeast infections, and more. Recent news articles are also featured.

The Society for Women's Health Research (http://www.womenshealthresearch.org/), formerly known as the Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research, seeks to improve the health of women through research. It encourages the study of sex differences between women and men that affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The Web site offers medical news and information, and details about how to join the Society.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.komen.org/) has supported the fight against breast cancer for more than 20 years through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. The foundation sponsors Race for the Cure, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research.

Updated: March 9, 2009

Imaginis

The Women's Health Resource. On the web since 1997.

U.S. National Non-Profit or Governmental Organizations

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