Cornell's Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF) has been recognized with a 2006 New York State Innovation in Breast Cancer Early Detection and Research Award from the New York State Breast Cancer Detection and Education Advisory Council.

The award recognizes BCERF's leadership in both research and education and its long-term commitment to working with the scientific, medical, environmental and advocacy communities in New York state.

BCERF, a part of the Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, seeks to lower the risk of breast cancer by promoting methods of sound decision-making at personal and public levels.

"It's wonderful that our program has received recognition for our innovative approaches for evaluating and providing the current science on breast cancer and the environment in print, on the Web and in person," says Suzanne Snedeker, associate director of translational research at BCERF. "We've enjoyed working closely with health professionals, cancer advocates and extension educators throughout New York state to develop the best strategies for ways individuals and communities can reduce the risk of breast cancer."

BCERF shares the Sprecher Institute's efforts to identify the causes of cancer and strategies to reduce cancer risk, says Rodney L. Page, the Alexander de Lahunta Chair of Clinical Sciences at the Vet College and BCERF's director. "Pets share our environment and develop similar forms of cancer," Page says. "The common biology of cancer between animals and people is remarkable, and has greatly contributed to our collective knowledge of cancer risk factors, including how environmental chemicals, lifestyle and diet can affect cancer risk."

For more information about BCERF and its research and educational programming on cancer and environmental risk factors, see http://envirocancer.cornell.edu.