More on giving up hope, taking up action

Debbie L. · 10-04-2010, 07:47 PM

"Why I'm Not Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month": http://tinyurl.com/26x2ddd

"The Downside of Awareness Campaigns": http://tinyurl.com/23zbd7b

I tried to reply to the Huffington Post article but was far too longwinded (by over 150 words), no surprise. In case you're interested, here's what I tried to say:

" Finally. An October message that makes sense. An October message that demands new action. I’m impressed with how succinct and clear and right this message is.

(I have been trying to write a response in support of this message for over an hour now and am realizing how difficult it is to be clear and succinct, because there are so many things to say.)

Since diagnosis nearly 10 years ago, I’ve been befuddled and frustrated by the incredible outpouring of energy, money, and fluff that happens every October around breast cancer “awareness”. Alas, it’s an energy full of good intentions. But it’s gone far off-track. It’s descended into empty rhetoric and commercialism. Much of the dogma approaches brainwashing and is insulting to thinking women.

How could we think that eating pink CAKE could help stop breast cancer?! How can we keep believing that "early detection" with mammography will stop breast cancer?

Perhaps in the beginning, 25 years ago, it WAS important to bring breast cancer front-and-center, so that it was not a hidden disease, endured in secret. We did a great job there. We’ve accomplished that goal, and women are aware. Women could not possibly get any more aware.

So it’s time — PAST TIME -- to redirect those good intentions, that tremendous effort, and that money.

It is true that some of that money over these 25 years has helped support research into causes, treatment, and even prevention of breast cancer. We do know so much more about breast cancer than we did then. But that body of knowledge has grown so huge that we have lost focus and direction.

Each well-intentioned researcher is working hard. But the work is spiraling off on countless narrow paths and the work is uncoordinated. Cancer is turning out to be SO complex. I can easily imagine that in 10 years, if nothing changes, we’ll know a lot more about many narrow-focus details of cancer. Yet we will still not have come close to stopping breast cancer.

It is not enough to continue with business-as-usual. We have tried it this way (lots of money, lots of research, lots of support, lots of mammograms, lots of effort and emotion, lots of pinkwashing). It is not working. I am proud and excited to join NBCC in giving up hope and taking up action.

Debbie Laxague

Mary Jo · 10-04-2010, 08:02 PM

Thanks Debbie for sharing what you feel. I agree somewhat.....pink toasters....pink blenders.....pink vacuum cleaners....good Lord! However, in an odd sense, I also like it. I like that people remember......I like that the people I know "remember" and continue to encourage me.

I am one of those that wear some form of pink (even if it's just a ribbon pin), every day in October, as a way to "honor" those who have the disease still and those of us who had it......as a way to continue to make people aware.......for people to feel they can ask a question (and I have had people come up to me often during the month of October to ask me a question or share a fear about themselves and possible breast cancer.)

So, although I agree that it is a bit over the top.......I am proud, in an odd sort of way (not sure proud is the right word)that "we" are not forgotten. I'm proud of who I've become since my diagnosis....proud of all the Lord has taught me. So, yes, I guess "proud" is the word I was searching for.

So, although this month is "awareness" month.....it is also a time for me to be reminded of all I went through and a time to be reminded of all my "sisters and brothers" who battle this disease still.

So, awareness is good.......but also, you are right......it is a bit much.

Love and hugs,

Mary Jo

StephN · 10-04-2010, 09:31 PM

What was it I saw in the grocery store today??

Oh, yes, a pink egg carton with a blurb about donating to Komen.

And the local Staples store has a display of pink pens at the counter, some portion of the sales are to support "something" for breast cancer. It was very vague. I think some company just wants to sell more cheap pens made in China.

Yes, there is "awareness" of a real kind, and then there is just plain taking advantage. Who knows how much, if anything, goes to this cause from such sales.

AlaskaAngel · 10-04-2010, 10:03 PM

Debbie,

You never were one to just sit back and observe, but have invested heart and soul toward making as much sense of the trauma as possible, as a breast cancer patient with intuition and intelligence. You have made it your commitment to be very involved. It becomes a relationship.

With each passing year of survivorship there is no loss of appreciation for the experience of bonding and support with other breast cancer patients, but there is more awareness of time passing with lots of energy and money and time investment but not enough coordination and direction of the resources and the people.

What continues to disappoint me is that over time we have finally had more and more women in positions of knowledge and authority, yet there remain unspoken barriers to an open approach with respectful honest communication in health care about the realities involved in the analysis and treatment of breast cancer. To me that has to change.

AlaskaAngel

BonnieR · 10-04-2010, 10:10 PM

The commercialism is blatant and self serving, for sure. To the point of insulting. But, like Mary Jo said, I feel pride and something supportive and positive during this month. I'm taking part in an event/walk/celebration of survivors on Sat. I have raised almost $700 in pledges, which will be matched, and it provides for locals who cannot afford screening, etc.
3 years ago when I was diagnosed I remember thinking that all these pink ribbons represented support and love for me (us).
But I can also be pretty cynical about the abuse and opportunists.

TriciaK · 10-05-2010, 06:58 AM

This is a thought-provoking thread. Thank you all for your comments and especially your great answer to the articles, Debbie, that started this thread. I have been fighting BC for over 25 years and have seen a lot of hype, but also some progress in awareness, I think. This website is still of greatest value to me as I am now facing my 4th BC (second her2). I think I would have given up by now if not for this site and all I have learned here. I hope I have been able to contribute something too. I so appreciate the feeling of love and understanding here as well as the sharing of information and prayers. Thank you all! Hugs, TriciaK