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About Us

Breast Cancer Action Montreal (BCAM) is a non-profit activist/advocacy group directed by women who have been sensitized to the trauma of breast cancer (affecting themselves or someone close to them) and who are committed—long-term—to erasing the disease.

The focus of breast cancer research must move beyond its current emphasis on treatment to also embrace a serious search for the causes of the disease and its prevention. BCAM promotes and supports the adoption of the Precautionary Principle as a guideline for action. The Precautionary Principle is a safety-first premise that states that, when there are reasonable scientific grounds for believing a process or product may not be safe, even when cause-and-effect relationships are not fully understood, preventive action must be taken.

Mission Statement

BCAM works to:

1. Educate about ...

2. Advocate policies that would ...

3. Support ...

4. Network ...

BCAM History — written April 2001 to celebrate BCAM's 10th anniversary

Educational Events
Special Projects
Policy-Making Activities
Advocacy
Services

In September 1991, five Montreal women with breast cancer—Carolyn Gibson Badger, Sharon Batt, Kathleen Glass, Joan Piper and Margaret Waller—joined forces to end their isolation and to move the disease from the private to the public sphere. They formed a group to raise awareness of breast cancer issues, to advocate for better diagnosis, treatment and care; and to give women a voice in decisions about treatment, services, health policy and research.

At BCAM's first public meeting, in April 1992, sixty women and reporters crowded into a small church hall to hear American advocate, Virginia Soffa, speak about the developing consumer movement in the U.S.A. and BCAM (pronounced 'bee-cam') could count more than 50 members. The membership fee, originally $20, was set at $25 annually effective October 1995, as it has remained since.

Originally formed as a non-profit organization, BCAM became a registered charity in February 1993 (retroactive to July 1992) and could, by then, count over 80 members. In November 1994, it was incorporated, granted non-profit status in Quebec and introduced an arresting logo designed by graphic artist, Margaret Mankin, in memory of her mother. The first Annual General Meeting was held in September 1995.

Moving from the home of co-founder, Sharon Batt, to sharing an office with another women's health organization, BCAM finally moved into its own office in the Spring of 1997—an event celebrated by an Open House attended by BCAM members who now totalled nearly 150.

The majority of BCAM's active participants have had breast cancer; others, however, are mothers, daughters, spouses or friends of women who live with breast cancer or who have died of the disease. Most women today have contact with at least one person affected by breast cancer. Concern about the disease has convinced a new generation of women to join the struggle and, following a recruitment drive in the Fall of 2000, BCAM now has over 250 members.

The current board of directors numbers six, three of whom live with breast cancer. BCAM's one-room office is staffed by an Administrative Secretary who currently works three days a week.

Educational Events | Topics

Since its inception, BCAM has sponsored a range of events open to the general public. The first public event was a panel discussion, "Breast Cancer Prevention: Best Guesses" presented in March 1993 and featuring, on the panel, Adriane Fugh-Berman, M.D., Rosemonde Mandeville, Ph.D., and Richard Margolese, M.D. The serious issue of giving tamoxifen (a drug with unknown long-term effects) to healthy women was passionately debated—earning BCAM some unexpected but welcome national coverage!

In November 1993, BCAM held the city's first Breast Cancer Awareness Rally, to mark the opening of the federally-sponsored National Forum on Breast Cancer. Members of BCAM were actively involved with the Forum which grew out of the federal report, Breast Cancer: Unanswered Questions.

In April 1994, BCAM sponsored a 2nd highly successful panel discussion, "Breast Cancer and the Environmental Connection: Best Guesses (II)", featuring John C. Bailar III, Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McGill University; Judy Brady, a well-known breast cancer activist from San Francisco; and Devra Lee Davis, epidemiologist, who was then Senior Advisor for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, in Washington, D.C.

In January 1996, Dr. Susan Love (author of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book,) faced a packed hall for a free lecture and discussion called, "Myth-breaking & Truth-telling." To circulate her message to the widest possible audience, BCAM made available videos of the evening in English and French, as well as a transcript of her remarks accompanied by the questions and discussion that followed.

Later that same year, BCAM co-sponsored, with the National Film Board, the premiere of the film, "Who's Counting? Sex Lies and Global Economics", a profile of New Zealand activist, Marilyn Waring, who argues that women's work should be included as a significant contribution to the Gross National Product of each country. While not directly related to breast cancer, the film highlighted the power of activism on behalf of women's rights.

In December 1996, BCAM sponsored a presentation and discussion in English and French on "Desperately Seeking Good Mammography: The consumer's role in promoting quality mammograms." The guest was Dr. Françoise Bouchard, a medical consultant for Quebec's 'Santé Publique' in the Outaouais Region and chief medical consultant on cancer at Health Canada.

In May of 1997, a discussion evening, "Spotlight on Tamoxifen" was presented, featuring three BCAM members and tamoxifen users (or ex-users) and Dr. Henry Shibata, oncologist and Director of the Cedars Breast Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Early in 1997, BCAM sponsored a panel discussion, "Four Women, Four Stories: Cultural diversity in women's experiences of breast cancer," which introduced Phase II of BCAM's Community Involvement Pilot Project. The panel members came from four different parts of the country and were members of four different communities. This provided an opportunity for a discussion of the effect of place and culture on women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Later in the year, in collaboration with DES Action Canada, BCAM sponsored the Montreal premiere of "Exposure: Breast Cancer & the Environment", a 54-minute film highlighting interest in the causes of breast cancer. The film was followed by a discussion and reception.

Also in 1997, BCAM co-sponsored, with McGill University's Biology Department and School of the Environment, a public lecture by Sandra Steingraber, author of Living Downstream: A Scientist's Investigation of Cancer and the Environment. Dr. Steingraber, a biologist who was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 19, is an internationally-known expert in environmental toxins implicated in the development of cancer.

In April 1998, the results of the first large-scale trial of tamoxifen as a preventative (as opposed to treatment) were announced at a dramatic press conference prior to the conclusion of the trial. BCAM took immediate action to inform its members and the public about the implication of these results, garnering extensive media coverage. Later, Sharon Batt testified at Food & Drug Administration hearings in Washington, D.C., regarding approval of the drug as a preventative. The controversy over the use of tamoxifen continues to this day.

In March 1999, BCAM—in cooperation with DES Action and the McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women (MCRTW)—presented "The Politics of Breast Cancer Prevention" with guest speakers, toxicologist Dr. Samuel Epstein (author of The Breast Cancer Prevention Program and The Politics of Cancer Revisited) and Dr. Michèle Brill-Edwards, a former senior scientist at Canada's Health Protection Branch who resigned because of industry influence over the drug approval process. More than 300 persons attended and excellent coverage in the English-language media expanded discussion of the issues into the wider community.

Following this successful event, BCAM again collaborated with DES Action and the MCRTW in the Fall of 1999 to present a public panel discussion on "Environmental Factors and Breast Cancer," featuring Mark Goldberg, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University, and Donna Mergler, a professor at the Université de Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Director of CINBIOSE (Centre d'études des interactions biologiques entre la santé et l'environnement).

In April 2000, the producer of the Comedy Nest agreed to donate a share of the proceeds from a special night of comedy to BCAM. The event was well publicized and raised over $1,200. It is hoped that this evening of laughter will become an annual event for BCAM members and their supporters.

Later in the year, BCAM sponsored the English-language premiere of the film, "Mutant Foods: The Genetic Take-over," a National Film Board production co-produced by Louise Vandelac, professor of sociology at UQAM. After the film, Dr. Vandelac was on hand to answer questions from the audience.

After a successful membership recruitment drive in the Fall of 2000—which brought in over 90 new members, a special Members' Reception was held on March 1st, 2001. Entertainment was provided by a five-member a capella group, 'The Diviners', and members were brought up-to-date about the activities and resources of BCAM.

Special Projects | Topics

In 1996, BCAM was awarded a grant from Health Canada to develop a pilot project designed to provide advocacy skills training and network-building for immigrant and native women. The women trained in Phase I of the project practiced their newly-acquired skills with diverse communities—among them the South Asian Women's Centre, The National Association of Japanese Canadians, the Montreal Association for the Blind, and Action des femmes handicappées, etc. In the following year, Lanie Melamed, a vice-president of BCAM, facilitated a workshop on 'Project Advocacy' at the 1st International Breast Cancer Conference in Kingston, Ontario.

Also in 1996, a BCAM member developed a portable 'Booth Kit' which was designed to enable members to quickly set up a display of flyers and other BCAM materials at health fairs, industrial exhibits, etc.

In 1997, BCAM sponsored a project to teach young women in their teens and early twenties about breast health. An original manual and workshop materials were developed by Harvard University student, Judith Batalion, during a summer internship with BCAM, funded by a fellowship from the Montreal Harvard Club. The workshop kit was tested in high schools, CEGEPS, and community groups in Montreal.

As part of her course work at Concordia University, another student worked in the BCAM office in the Fall of 1999 to research new and effective methods of fundraising. Based on the model developed by Ms. Batalion, three foundations were approached for funds to further the project of educating younger women about breast cancer.

Also in 1997, BCAM undertook a needs assessment project in collaboration with the Régie Régionale de la santé publique (Montréal-Centre) and the community group ACCéSSS (Alliance des communautés culturelles pour l'égalité dans la santé et les services sociaux). This was a first phase of a project designed to reduce the negative psychological effects of screening for breast cancer.

Those who attended the BCAM events of March and November 1997 were invited to join a monthly discussion group to focus on breast cancer and the environment. In January 1998, based on the study circle concept, HEAL (Health Education: Action and Learning) began—and continues—to meet monthly to explore the effects of the environment on human health.

In February 1998, the government granted $75,000 for the project, "Projet de soutien et accompagnement des femmes en attente de diagnostique," which was administered by BCAM and shared with ACCÉSSS. In 1999, the project (and remaining funds) were transferred to the Réseau québécois d'action pour la santé des femmes (RQASF).

An enterprising BCAM member videotaped and edited portions of the 2nd World Conference on Breast Cancer (Ottawa 1999). A longer version was shown as part of the panel discussion on "Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer" in October of the same year. Edited into shorter excerpts—"Hormones in our food," "Radiation and Cancer (from X-Rays to Nuclear Fallout)," "EMF (Electromagnetic frequencies): Cell phones, Computers, Microwaves—Are We At Risk?", and "Follow the Money: Who Pays for What you Think?—The Politics and P.R. of Breast Cancer "—the videos were used to spark discussion at a series of workshops open to the public in Spring 2000.

A BCAM member negotiated with Pattison Media and GSI Technologies to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an attention-getting illustration of a woman's breast and the slogan "Cancer du Sein ... Pourquoi?" ("Breast Cancer ... Why?"). This message appeared on three pixel billboards overlooking busy commuter routes into the city throughout the months of October and November 2000.

At the end of October, BCAM member and artist, Deena Dlusy-Apel, mounted a show of paintings, drawings and sculpture related to breast cancer in a week-long exhibit at Galerie Gora. Posters featuring one of Ms. Dlusy-Apel's paintings were posted prominently throughout the city in advance of this showing. During the run of this exhibit, the Montreal Theatre Playback Company provided a theatrical evening featuring spontaneous interpretations of breast cancer stories contributed by members of the audience. One of the paintings was also donated for a raffle which was held at the English-language premiere of "Mutant Foods" (see above).

Policy-Making Activities | Topics

BCAM has contributed to breast cancer policy development through written briefs, meetings with government representatives, participation in decision-making committees and at conferences on breast cancer policy.

One of BCAM's co-founders testified at parliamentary hearings and helped initiate a cross-Canada letter campaign to raise awareness of the federal report, Breast Cancer: Unanswered Questions.

In the 1993 National Forum on Breast Cancer in Montreal, BCAM played a prominent role in encouraging consumer participation. The Support, Advocacy and Networking Subcommittee, convened for this Forum, was continued under the chairmanship of Sharon Batt, effectively securing a position for a breast cancer advocate on the federally-funded Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative.

In March 1994, following revelations that a Montreal breast cancer researcher had falsified records, BCAM organized a meeting for affected patients and their families. At the meeting, and in subsequent media interviews, BCAM stressed the need for rigorous ethical standards and procedures in research.

Subsequently, a BCAM representative was asked to join McGill University's research ethics board. (Prior to her participation, community members of Institutional Review Boards had been individuals rather than patients formally associated with a patients' group.)

BCAM members were actively involved with the formation of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network in the Summer of 1996. BCAM members have attended national and international breast cancer and women's health conferences in a number of cities in Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe—particularly the 1st and 2nd World Conferences on Breast Cancer in Kingston (1997) and Ottawa (1999). A former BCAM board member is on the Planning Committee for the 3rd World Conference on Breast Cancer to take place in Victoria, B.C., in 2002.

Members of BCAM have also served on a steering committee to set up a national network of breast cancer groups and an ad hoc committee (of the Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada) on the breast cancer gene.

Two BCAM members also sat on the steering committee of the Quebec Information Exchange Project.

The PQDCS (Program québécois pour la dépistage du cancer du sein) is an advisory committee of the provincal government dealing with the recently-introduced province-wide screening program for women between the ages of 50 and 69. A BCAM member continues to sit on the Quality Control Committee (Comité de soutien à la qualité) of this program.

In March of 2001, the board of directors adopted a written Policy Statement regarding funding provided by questionable corporations. This Policy Statement prevents BCAM from accepting funds from pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturers, biotech and agribusiness, oil companies, tobacco companies, private cancer diagnostic/treatment facilities, and companies that develop/market cancer-related technology. Nor will BCAM support organizations that accept money from such industries. The only exceptions are when corporations match funds initiated by an employee or group of employees, or when corporations make a donation at the specific request of a deceased or his or her family.

Advocacy | Topics

Ongoing advocacy work includes letter campaigns to provincial and federal politicians about breast cancer issues, briefs to committees, preparation of position papers, testimony at public hearings, etc., all funded from general revenues. (As a registered charitable organization, our advocacy work must not be partisan—that is, allied with a particular political party—and costs may not exceed 20 percent of annual revenues.)

Services

In order to inform people about breast cancer, BCAM volunteers regularly participate in community events such as conferences on aging, Le Salon de la feminité, Health Fairs at local CEGEPs, Health Week at shopping malls, information sessions for women's organizations, etc.

BCAM offers a speakers' bureau and has fulfilled requests for speakers at Hope & Cope meetings, CEGEPs, the West Island University Women's Association, as well as groups of cancer patients and other self-help groups.

Members of BCAM with training in teaching techniques of breast self-examination visit various groups—'Moms and Tots', Rangers, Pathfinders—to give workshops to young women ranging from pre-teens to young mothers.

BCAM's Bulletin/Bulletin is a lifeline to members, providing news of BCAM activities, upcoming events related to breast cancer, original reports on breast cancer events. opinion pieces by BCAM members, book reviews, etc.

Our telephone (514-483-1846) and e-mail (info@bcam.qc.ca) link us to the general public. Where support is needed, callers are put in touch with members who can share experiences and help with resources.

A sizeable number of books, booklets, newsletters and videos, all relating to aspects of breast cancer can be found in our office. All of these resources are available on loan to members or to anyone looking for information.

As we reach the end of our tenth year, BCAM can look back on a decade of accomplishment in the areas of breast cancer activism, advocacy and education. The task we currently face is to interest and involve more of our members in the struggle to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of breast cancer, while working alongside those who are dedicated to better screening and treatment.

After a decade of community involvement, we are ready to recommit ourselves to increasing awareness of the role of environmental toxins in the genesis of breast cancer.

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