Breast Cancer Action launches "Milking Cancer" campaign against Eli Lilly

Sep 22 2009

Breast Cancer Action Challenges Pharma Giant's Marketing of the Artificial Hormone, Asks the Public to Demand Action

Breast Cancer Action (BCA), known as the watchdog of the breast cancer movement, today announced the launch of their "Milking Cancer" campaign challenging the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly to stop manufacturing rBGH. rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone, also known as rBST) has long been linked to cancer.

Eli Lilly is the sole manufacturer of rBGH which is sold worldwide under the name Posilac. The company also markets drugs to treat breast cancer and a drug to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk.

"Eli Lilly profits from cancer any way you look at it," said Barbara Brenner executive director of Breast Cancer Action. "It's the perfect profit cycle. When Eli Lilly milks cancer, it's great for the company, but bad for the public's health."

The artificial hormone rBGH has been banned in Japan, Australia, Canada and the European Union. Large corporations such as Wal-Mart and Starbucks no longer use milk from rBGH-treated cows in their store-brand products.

"There is strong evidence of a connection between rBGH and cancer, including breast cancer," according to Dr. Martin Donohoe, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Community Health, Portland State University. "Many leading dairies and health care facilities have eliminated its use. Why should we take a chance with the public's health?"

BCA is launching the Milking Cancer campaign --featuring an on-line video and website, (www.milkingcancer.org) - to raise awareness and to encourage concerned consumers to contact Eli Lilly directly and tell them to stop manufacturing rBGH.

This project builds on BCA's Think Before You Pink(R)- a campaign raising critical questions about pink ribbon promotions and targeting "pinkwashers": companies that say they care about breast cancer, but make products that contribute to the incidence of the disease. Bolstered by the many successes of the campaign, including a 2008 effort that persuaded General Mills to discontinue the use of rBGH in pink-lidded Yoplait yogurt, Brenner urges people to believe they can effect change over Eli Lilly as well. "Ordinary people have extraordinary power to change corporate behavior," said Brenner. "People who care about public health can and will get Eli Lilly to stop milking cancer and end the manufacture of rBGH."