Introduction
On 4 April 1995, the television networks™ evening news programs carried an unusual item. The Acting Director of Central Intelligence, Adm. William 0. Studeman, held a press conference at the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) to address the topic of breast cancer. Also participating were the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Senator Robert Kerrey of Nebraska, and Dr. Susan Blumenthal, the deputy assistant secretary of Health and Human Services and head of the Women’s Health Office of the Public Health Service.
Admiral Studeman announced that the Intelligence Community (IC) had been involved in an effort to identify and promote technologies developed within the IC that had promise in the national fight against breast cancer. He said this effort was to continue with the CIA, National Reconnaissance Office, and Community Management Staff (CMS) each contributing to the effort. A sum of $375,000 had been identified for this research.