California Breast Cancer Research Program Launches $23 Million Initiative

Breast cancer research in the state will be getting a major boost. The publicly-funded California Breast Cancer Research Program is launching a $23 million initiative. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The initiative will fund areas of research that typically don't get a lot of financial support. The project will explore why some ethnic groups have higher incidence of breast cancer than others. Dr. Mehl Kavanaugh-Lynch directs the California Breast Cancer Research Program. She says the project will also look into what role the environment plays.

Kavanaugh-Lynch: The general public strongly believes there is a connection between pollution and chemical contamination and breast cancer risk, but the science hasn't caught up to that belief."

The program is funded by a cigarette tax and a check-off box on the state income tax form. It's the largest program of its type in the nation. Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.