Globally, a case of breast cancer is diagnosed every twenty-nine seconds. And, while the fight against the disease is far from over in the U.S., the numbers are even more discouraging internationally. In South Africa, for instance, only 5% of breast cancer cases are detected in the earliest, most treatable stage-compared to 50% of the cases in the U.S.

In September 2007, Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was in Budapest, Hungary as one of twenty-five breast cancer advocates chosen to represent the U.S. at the breakthrough Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ignite the Promise global breast cancer advocate summit. 

When she headed up the first Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® eighteen years ago, Grobman never imagined the local fight would lead to a role in an international effort for a cure.

"Certainly, we need to continue the fight against breast cancer with even greater passion here at home," said Grobman. "But what the Ignite the Promise summit made clear is that we also have to start building a bridge to connect third-world countries with the awareness, education, technology and medicine that have allowed the U.S. to make progress against the disease. Only by sharing our knowledge and advances will we be able to wipe out breast cancer for future generations."

Seen by Komen as a thought-leader and steadfast activist with a vision of a global end to breast cancer, Grobman was chosen to attend Ignite the Promise, where delegates from 30 countries gathered to elevate the dialogue on breast cancer's global impact and share strategies used to combat breast cancer in their local communities.

"My experiences at the summit were gratifying, but also very humbling. So many of us hope for a chance to influence our 'little corner of the world'... I was given that chance. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to share in the insights of leading breast cancer advocates, and then bring them home to empower the fight in our community."

From the discussions at the summit, Grobman feels it is evident that individuals, and corporate and healthcare leaders from more advanced communities need to unite in a global strategy for pooling resources to provide the dollars, education, technology and support that are in dire need-or simply don't exist-elsewhere.

"There are leaders in these countries struggling to break the barriers to quality breast health care, but even with international support it could be a long, frustrating road. For instance, we can start to educate women, but in many countries there are not enough facilities to allow them to carry out early detection practices."

In Pune, India, for example, home to 3.5 million women, there is just one facility that provides comprehensive breast cancer services.

From cultural beliefs and poverty, to geography and medical practices, barriers exist inside and outside the U.S. The good news is, due to far-reaching initiatives like the Komen Ignite the Promise summit, what was once thought to be a disease of the Western world is becoming a global concern with leaders fighting back here at home and abroad to bring hope women everywhere.