National Cancer Institute Director and former Prevent Cancer Foundation board member Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., FACS announces breast cancer diagnosis
Earlier this week, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), announced her recent breast cancer diagnosis. The Prevent Cancer Foundation sends its support to Dr. Bertagnolli as she embarks on her treatment and recovery.
As a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s board of directors and scientific director-elect, Dr. Bertagnolli advocated for educating the public about cancer prevention and early detection, as she has done throughout her prestigious career. Dr. Bertagnolli, the first woman to be selected for the role of NCI director, resigned from all Board positions this year before she was sworn into the directorship.
Routine screenings detect cancer early, increasing the likelihood treatment will be successful. Dr. Bertagnolli’s diagnosis was discovered during a routine mammogram, a pertinent reminder that routine cancer screenings play a significant role in catching cancer in its earliest stages. It’s because of doctors like Dr. Bertagnolli that we live in a world where cancer doesn’t have to hold the power—instead, that power can belong to the people.
“Dr. Bertagnolli has never lost sight of the focus of her work—the patient,” said Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé, Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “The Prevent Cancer Foundation stands with Dr. Bertagnolli as she navigates the patient experience, something she has selflessly worked toward bettering for her entire career. I feel blessed to call her a friend and all of us at the Foundation wish her the speediest of recoveries.”
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is committed to spreading the message about prioritizing routine cancer screenings. With the Foundation’s screening snapshot chart, you can quickly identify the routine screenings you need at every age.
To learn more about breast cancer, signs and symptoms of the disease and how to reduce your risk, visit www.preventcancer.org/breast.