The Breast Cancer Research Stamp directs net proceeds—after postage and administrative costs—70% to the National Institutes of Health and 30% to the Department of Defense for breast-cancer research. The page’s previous $87 million premise was not supported by the current agency record and has been replaced with dated, attributable figures.
Verified facts for this topic
After postage and administrative costs, Breast Cancer Research Stamp net proceeds are divided 70% to NIH and 30% to the Department of Defense. NCI reports $68,355,827 received through September 2025; that cannot be relabeled as a verified $87 million total.
How the funding is divided
| Recipient | Share of net proceeds | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health | 70% | Breast-cancer research administered through the federal research system |
| Department of Defense | 30% | Breast-cancer research through the applicable DoD program |
“Net proceeds” is important: the full purchase price is not transferred because the postage value and reasonable program costs are deducted first.
Verified NCI total
The National Cancer Institute’s special funding sources record reports that NCI had received $68,355,827 through September 2025 and identifies supported research activity. This number is dated and applies to NCI’s share, not automatically to a combined all-agency lifetime total.
What the stamp is
First issued on July 29, 1998, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp was the first U.S. fundraising, or semipostal, stamp. A semipostal sells above the postal value so that the authorized excess can support the named cause under the governing program.
How to evaluate a funding claim
- Identify whether the number is gross sales, net proceeds or one agency’s receipts.
- Check the “as of” date; cumulative totals change.
- Confirm whether postage and administrative costs have already been deducted.
- Separate the NIH/NCI share from the Department of Defense share.
- Use the agency record rather than repeating a rounded number from an undated article.
What this page does not claim
The funding record does not prove that one stamp purchase funds a specific named study, and it does not support a medical outcome claim. It explains the authorized allocation and the dated amount reported by the responsible federal source.
Sources and update note
Use the linked primary record for the exact issue, rule or current condition. Prices, availability and platform features can change and should be checked at the time of use.