On January 25, 2008, Pfizer Oncology sponsored a forum of 16 patient advocates from 7 countries, who convened to share insights on current obstacles and discuss potential solutions for better addressing the unmet needs of women with MBC. This group has become known as the MBC Advocacy Working Group. Based on the discussion, the meeting participants decided to develop and issue a joint Pfizer-sponsored Consensus Report, a collective call-to-action for breast cancer stakeholders to improve collaboration and implement strategies to address unmet needs of women with MBC. The Consensus Report has since been published in the December 2008 issue of the journal, Community Oncology, and has been submitted for review to a European medical journal. The MBC Advocacy Working Group re-convened in March 2009.

In an effort to better understand the global needs and characteristics of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patient population, Pfizer assembled and collaborated with an international steering committee composed of breast cancer thought leaders to conduct the BRIDGE Survey (Bridging Gaps, Expanding Outreach – Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Survey). The objectives of the BRIDGE Survey were to identify the global needs and experiences of women living with MBC, focusing on: resources and information, psychosocial support, and clinical trial awareness and experience. The survey findings were presented at 3 international medical congresses in Spring 2009.

In addition to the Consensus Report and the BRIDGE Survey, Pfizer is helping to publicize the inaugural national MBC Awareness Day on October 13, 2009 by sponsoring educational activities in an effort to increase awareness of the disease.

The Pfizer Foundation, a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc, recently announced the investment of $7 million in 2009 to support global cancer control efforts, including a number of breast cancer programs.