First Lady Laura Bush's Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research Extends...(tment joined Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Vi...),Health

"Breast cancer continues to have a tremendous impact on women in Panama, despite good efforts to raise awareness of early detection and prevention," said Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo, M.D., assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Breast Medical Oncology, who represented M. D. Anderson at the announcement in Panama City. "By working collectively to advance awareness, research, training and community outreach, we can change attitudes and behaviors about breast cancer which will in turn save lives."

A team of 33 M. D. Anderson scientists and physicians serve on an advisory board for the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas and oversee the contribution of medical and public education resources to the initiative. M. D. Anderson has committed to making available its extensive library of educational materials on a broad spectrum of topics related to breast cancer, much of which is available in Spanish. In addition, M. D. Anderson will explore opportunities to develop specific satellite educational programs on breast cancer topics for the medical community and offer its faculty and staff as a resource to medical personnel in Panama.

John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of M. D. Anderson said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to extend our work with the Partnership to Panama. Mrs. Fernandez de Torrijos is commended for her dedication and commitment to reducing breast cancer and her efforts to engage the Partnership for the benefit of women in Panama, across Latin America and around the world."

To date, M. D. Anderson has established academic and educational relationships with 25 premier cancer centers around the world, and partnered with the Department of State on a similar breast cancer
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