One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. For the first time in history, this devastating disease is now the leading cause of cancer death in young people ages 20-49. There is more at play than just genetics. In fact, fewer than 10% of breast cancer cases are due to family history. To reverse these shocking trends, BCPP focuses on primary prevention and the elimination of environmental risk factors linked to the disease. Leveraging decades of groundbreaking work in exposing and reducing toxic chemical exposures linked to breast cancer, BCPP, through POB, can now directly reach young people at a critical stage in their development.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Protect Our Breasts into the BCPP family,” says Suzanne Price, CEO of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. “Their work in educating young people about environmental risks linked to breast cancer is more crucial than ever, especially at a time when younger and younger women are being diagnosed with this disease. True primary prevention starts with reaching people at key developmental stages to stop breast cancer before it starts—exactly what POB is addressing. Together, we can mobilize young consumers to make safer choices and push companies to create healthier products, protecting all of us and our loved ones from this devastating disease.”

This transformative partnership has been made possible through the generous support of the Jack and Goldie Nomberg Foundation, the Kanengiser Family, and the Peters Family whose commitment to prevention education and youth engagement has been instrumental in bringing these organizations together.

The story of POB began when Cynthia Barstow, a marketing faculty member at the University of Massachusetts, and well-known as a leader in the Organic & Natural Products industry, received her own breast cancer diagnosis. Inspired by BCPP (formerly known as the Breast Cancer Fund) and their approach of translating scientific research into public awareness and advocacy, she recognized the critical importance of educating young people about environmental risk factors.

This insight led her to create the nation’s first and only program dedicated to educating college students about toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer. Through an innovative peer-to-peer education model, POB translates complex scientific concepts into actionable knowledge, motivating young adults to make safer choices during one of life’s most vulnerable windows of development.

“When I learned that certain chemical exposures were linked to breast cancer, I knew I needed to share this information widely. Then, when the Institute of Medicine reported that my students were in a window of heightened susceptibility, I knew I had to do something to protect them,” says Barstow. “This partnership with BCPP will exponentially expand our reach and impact in educating young people about prevention – the best cure for cancer.”

“We are thrilled about the partnership between BCPP and POB, and believe it is the ideal alignment for this next chapter of POB’s journey,” says Kristin Gaul, Peters Family. “POB has had a profound impact on our family, transforming the way we approach our daily lives. By reaching young college students at a pivotal time in their lives, POB empowers them to become educated leaders in their communities, driving meaningful change for years to come.”

The integration will amplify the impact of POB, a program of BCPP through:

1. Education and Outreach

• Expanded network of chapters across college and high school campuses
• Enhanced student leadership development opportunities
• Monthly themed educational campaigns, events, and content

2. Scientific Resources and Advocacy

• Integration of BCPP’s research expertise into educational materials
• Strengthened advocacy through combined scientific and outreach capabilities
• Development of targeted prevention strategies for young adults

3. Industry Impact

• Expansion of POB’s network of over 100 organic brand partners
• Enhanced partnerships within the natural products industry
• Greater influence on sustainable packaging and ingredient transparency

“In an era where environmental protections face unprecedented challenges, supporting education and advocacy programs like POB is more vital than ever,” says Sandra Kanengiser, JGNF President and Treasurer.  “Young people not only understand the urgency of environmental health issues – they have the passion, energy, and determination to drive meaningful change. We believe that empowering the next generation with knowledge about environmental toxics and prevention strategies isn’t just an investment in public health – it’s an investment in the advocates we need right now to protect our collective future.”

POB offers monthly meeting themes to national student chapters, including key focal points, activities, and presentation materials. They also actively participate in tabling events and campaigns to raise awareness about prevention. POB also partners with USDA certified organic brands that are committed to improving the safety of packaging and promote them as safer alternatives. Whoever and wherever you are, you can be a part of POB’s education and advocacy efforts. To get involved, join or start a campus chapter or support the new partnership of BCPP and POB.

POB will continue its longstanding presence at Natural Products Expo West 2025, now joined by BCPP at this premier trade show for the natural, organic, and healthy lifestyle industry. This collaboration builds on POB’s decade-long track record of connecting students with brand partners at Expo West, where they’ve fostered valuable relationships between conscious companies and young consumers. The partnership will further strengthen these industry connections, advancing both organizations’ mission to create a future free from cancer-causing chemicals in consumer products and our environment.

“Being a part of Protect Our Breast’s mission has been so meaningful to me already, and for the organization to now join forces with the national powerhouse that is Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is something I’m so proud of,” says Abigail McCarthy of Protect Our Breasts and a student at UMass Amherst. “Knowing that POB’s work and impact is so valuable to those most affected by environmental exposures has always remained on the forefront of our efforts, and being able to amplify that voice with BCPP is beyond exciting and deeply resonates with our team.”

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is the only national science-based policy and advocacy organization focused on preventing breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals. www.bcpp.org

Protect Our Breasts is a national program dedicated to educating college students about toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer through peer-to-peer education and chapter-based advocacy. www.bcpp.org/protectourbreasts