Nancy Brinker United States Ambassador


Breast Cancer Treatments More Effective Than Ever


I


n 1982, i made a promise to my sister, Susan G. Komen, as she bravely faced breast cancer. I could not have imagined


then that this deeply personal pledge would grow into a global movement, one that has helped change how the world understands, detects, and treats breast cancer. Each May, during Women’s Health


Month, I reflect not only on how far we’ve come, but on the urgent work that remains. When I founded Susan G. Komen,


the mission was both simple and ambitious: to end breast cancer. In those early days, conversations about the disease were often whispered, clouded by stigma and fear. Screening rates were low, research funding was limited, and far too many women were diagnosed too late. But we believed awareness could save lives, and that belief sparked a movement. Over the decades, that movement


has helped transform breast cancer from a topic once shrouded in silence into one that is openly discussed, widely researched, and more effectively treated than ever before. Public awareness campaigns, community outreach, and survivor advocacy have encouraged millions to prioritize early detection. Advances in science, from targeted


therapies to improved imaging, have extended and saved countless lives. And yet, breast cancer remains one


38 NEWSMAX | MAY 2026


of the most pressing health challenges facing women today. It is still the most diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for roughly one in eight cancer cases. In the United States alone,


hundreds of thousands of women will be diagnosed this year. Behind every statistic is a person — a mother, daughter, sister, or friend — whose life is forever changed. The burden of this disease is not


shared equally. Persistent disparities in access to care and outcomes continue to affect far too many communities. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and are significantly more likely to die from breast cancer than their white counterparts. Structural barriers,


ranging from limited access to screening and treatment to broader inequities in healthcare, continue to cost lives. These


are not just medical challenges, they are moral ones. That is why my work today, including through The Promise Fund, remains focused on closing these gaps. We are investing in innovative


research to better understand aggressive forms of breast cancer and to develop more effective treatments. We are working to ensure that early detection is accessible to every woman, regardless of ZIP code or income. And we are advocating for policies that strengthen healthcare systems


and prioritize prevention, screening, and survivorship. But progress requires more than


policy and research, it requires people. It requires communities that are informed, engaged, and committed to action. It requires individuals who are willing to have difficult conversations, to support loved ones through diagnosis and treatment, and to demand better from our healthcare systems. Women’s Health Month is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to these efforts. It is a reminder that health is not a given, it is something we must actively protect, both individually and collectively. Whether it’s scheduling a mammogram, supporting a local health initiative, or advocating for equitable care, every action matters. My sister Susan once said: “I dream


of the day when breast cancer is no longer a threat to the women we love.” That dream continues to guide me.


While we have made extraordinary progress over the past four decades, we are not finished. Too many lives are still at stake. This month, let us honor Susan’s


legacy not only with reflection, but with resolve. By continuing to invest in science, expand access to care, and stand together in support of those affected, we can move closer to a future where breast cancer is no longer a life- threatening diagnosis. Together, we can — and must — finish what we started.


Nancy Brinker, founder of The Promise Fund of Florida and Susan G. Komen, served as U.S. ambassador to Hungary.


RIBBON/FREEPIK


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