October has arrived. It’s the time of Halloween decorations, pumpkin spice lattes, and hopefully cooler weather. We pull out our home décor items with Fall colors of red, orange, and brown. We walk past the candy aisles in the stores and wonder if it’s too soon to start buying Halloween candy.
October also means we are going to be inundated with all things pink. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates back to October 1985. It was originally intended to raise awareness of breast cancer and to encourage screening through mammography and self-exams. Pink has become the color we associate with breast cancer.
What started as a simple ribbon has morphed into so much pink that some of us with breast cancer call October “Puke-tober.” Everywhere we look we see pink. From pink ribbons on boxes of cereal or crackers to NFL players wearing pink, we can’t get away from it. Every time we check out at the supermarket, we’re asked if we like to make a donation to breast cancer awareness. Any company can slap a pink ribbon on any product and claim “a portion of your purchase will go toward breast cancer research.” Who knows if it actually does?
Maybe we could deal with all the hoopla if it weren’t for the ridiculous and sometimes offensive posts that proliferate social media. I know the posts are well-intentioned, but I wish we could find a better way to get the message across. “Save the ta-tas!” Or we see pictures of dogs with pink balloons strapped to their chests with the caption, “Get those puppies checked!” I’m more interested in saving my life than my “ta-tas.”
I’m all for wanting to raise awareness, but this feels like a slap in the face. Breast cancer isn’t cute, nor is it sexy. NO cancer is sexy. And while breast cancer seems to get the lion’s share of the attention and hype, lung, colon, testicular and other cancers get shoved to the back of the awareness bus. What about male breast cancer? Men can get and die from breast cancer, too. Where is their colored ribbon?
And while I’m on my rant, let’s talk about the word “Survivor.” I guess I’m technically a survivor each day I don’t die of breast cancer. I’ll be a survivor until I die of something other than cancer.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for support and fundraisers and awareness and prevention. I proudly wore the “Fight Like a Girl!” t-shirt given to me by a dear friend when I was first diagnosed with Stage II cancer. I wore a small pink ribbon pin to honor a friend who died of breast cancer. But prevention and awareness are a little late for someone who already has cancer and a lot late for someone with Stage IV cancer. Let’s find a cure!
I strongly encourage women (and men) to know their bodies. If something is wrong (and only YOU know your own body), get it checked! Get that mammogram. Get checked! Ignorance is not always bliss.
Enough of this. I’m off to the craft store to buy out their pink ribbon supply. I’m thinking of changing all our outside Halloween decorations to pink. I hope the neighbors don’t mind. And lest you fear that I’ll be offended if you wear pink or walk in a three-day walk, I won’t. I really won’t. The point is to raise awareness. But let’s raise awareness for all cancers, find cures, and continue to support those with the disease.
Carol
Cancer has progressed to my bones. I pray that it never enters my soul.
Your blogs always make me think. Thank you so much for sharing. I just wanted to shout out when reading, “Hear! Hear!” Now I have a whole new appreciation for the complexities of wearing pink as positioned in the big picture. Thank you again.
Carol, My arms are wrapped around you in a BIG HUG! You were the funniest, wittiest, kindest & most compassionate friend anyone could have asked for in high school. I’m here for you! Jan (Regan) Gruenewald
Oh, Janice, it’s so good to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words. I have so many fond memories of us in our school plays and working at Camp Wawona together!
❤️🧡💙💚💛💜
Amen to all of that. Lots of love to you and Marty. Hey, while you’re out shopping, how about pink hair dye – for both of you ?!
Diana, I was thinking of a pink mohawk. We’d have to shave Marty’s head, but oh well! 🙂
Carol–I also feel like “Pink-tober” is way over done since the first breast cancer was that I witnessed! I didn’t know what Ta-ta’s were before then! I feel the only pink I appreciate now is my favorite musical group called “Pink Martini”–please listen to them on You-Tube if you’re not familiar with their music–also, I can’t wait to see your Halloween decor! Bob
Bob, I know only one song of theirs – “Sympathique.” We sang it in our French class! I loved it, but could only remember the words to the chorus. 🙂
Once again, beautifully written. I hope this opens many minds, regarding cancer. There are SO many distinct kinds, and I agree that the focus is mostly on breast cancer. Personally, I am taken aback, when someone tells me they do not get mammograms, or see the doctor when something feels a bit “off”. No one enjoys going to the doctor, no one enjoys getting a variety of tests done (some invasive), no one enjoys waiting for results….NO ONE! I am one of those people. But I do it all, because it is the smart and necessary way to stay on top of my health. If something should show up, I face it head on, and do whatever is necessary to address the issue. But it is truly an individual’s choice. You said it best Carol, no one knows your body better than you do yourself! There certainly should be multiple colors of ribbons out there, to identify the different cancers (some rare like my husband had) and raise awareness for ALL! Thank you for your genuine and insightful honesty, it always touches me. I miss you, love to you and Marty XOXO