U.S. First Lady Laura Bush yesterday announced the launch of the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas – an initiative to unite experts from the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico in the fight against breast cancer.

She made the announcement during the White House Conference on the Americas in Arlington, in the U.S. state of Virginia. According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in San José, the effort will unite some of the premier breast cancer research facilities and universities in the United States with embassies in the three Latin American countries.

“Together, these partners will work to build capacity in the region by increasing research, training and community-outreach efforts, and help women in these countries gain the knowledge and confidence they need to take charge of their own health,” said the statement. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death for women worldwide.

A similar program, called the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, launched by Laura Bush in 2006, has begun establishing workplace awareness programs, community assessments and bilateral medical exchanges in Mid-East countries.

The White House Conference on the Americas convened representatives from nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, religious and community groups, as well as volunteer organizations dedicated to improving regional education, health care, economic opportunities and building public-private partnerships in the area, according to the statement.

-Tico Times