CBCRP Fact Sheet

Symposium Reports

What is the California Breast Cancer Research Program?

In 1993, the California Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the Breast Cancer Act and enabling legislation (AB 2055 and AB 478), which established the Breast Cancer Research Program and the Breast Cancer Control Program and funded these programs with the revenue from an increase in the State tobacco tax. Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman authored these bills, as well as AB 3391 in 1994, and AB 2915 in 1995 which amended them. The new tax revenue, which began to be collected on January 1, 1994, is deposited in the Breast Cancer Fund. Fifty percent is allocated to fund early breast cancer detection services for uninsured and underinsured women through the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BCEDP - administered by the State Department of Health Services). Forty-five percent is allocated to fund research on the cause, cure, treatment, earlier detection, and prevention of breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP). The remaining five percent of the new tobacco tax revenue is allocated to the California Cancer Registry, which collects statewide data on cancer rates and deaths and compiles the statewide statistics on cancer in California.

Who directs the California Breast Cancer Research Program?

The overall objectives, strategies and priorities of the Program are set by the Breast Cancer Research Council. The Council consists of 16 members: 5 members from breast cancer survivor/advocacy groups, 5 scientists/clinicians, 2 members from non-profit health organizations, one practicing breast cancer medical specialist, 2 members from private industry and 1 ex officio member from the Breast Cancer Control Program. These members are appointed by the University, based upon recommendations from the Council and the community. While the University is ultimately responsible for decisions and policies, the University is mandated by the legislation to work in close collaboration with the Breast Cancer Research Council. The University has relied on the advice of the Council since its inception. The Council is charged with developing the strategic objectives and priorities of the Program, actively participating in the overall management of the Program and making final recommendations on which research grants should be funded based on the established priorities and the scientific merits of the proposals as determined by peer review panels. The Council is also charged with establishing its own procedures and rules of conduct. A roster of current and past Council members is available upon request.

Who manages the California Breast Cancer Research Program?

The enabling legislation requested that the University of California establish and administer the Breast Cancer Research Program. The President of the University of California assigned specific responsibility for establishing and managing CBCRP to the Vice PresidentBHealth Affairs, Cornelius L. Hopper, M.D. The CBCRP is administratively part of the office of Special Research Programs, along with the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) and the Universitywide AIDS Research Program (UARP). Charles L. Gruder, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Special Research Programs. Marion H. E. Kavanaugh-Lynch, M.D., M.P.H. is the Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program and is assisted by three Research Administrators: Laurence Fitzgerald, Ph.D., Katherine McKenzie, Ph.D. and Walter Price, Dr.P.H. The staff of the CBCRP manage all programmatic and fiscal aspects of the grant program and are aided by other units within the Office of the President, including Research Administration, General Counsel, Risk Management, Corporate Audits, and Federal Laboratory Management, who provide their services to the Program gratis. The legislation limits the University's administrative expenditures to five percent of the CBCRP appropriation.

Items available from the CBCRP office: