What do you do to promote BC awareness?

AnacortesGirl

I'm not a facebook member but if I was, I would have been in the camp of women offended that sharing bra color does anything to educate or promote bc awareness.  So it got me to wondering, as survivors, what are some of the things we do (or could do) to promote awareness?

Here's something I did recently.  I work at a refinery so we have monthly safety huddles.  My turn in the barrel was last month and I took the liberty of stretching safety to health.  So I put together a slide show on bc.  It was kind of strange talking to the group since it was 18 men and only 2 women.  But the gist of the message was to show them that early detection really made a difference; I showed them the ugly stats of all the stages, talked about the all the major types of bc, covered the symptoms, the risks, the detection methods, the treatments.  Then I told them that they need to be involved with their loved ones screenings -- don't just assume that the wife/girlfriend is taking care of it and they don't need to know anything.  I got a lot of postive comments from the group.

My brother has been active in organizing the Susan G. Komem race in Seattle for the last 15 years.  He's recruited others in the family to help work the event but I've only attended one.  Honestly, ever since my sister died from bc I've had some irrational emotions about this event.  I didn't want to be down there "advertising" my pain.  But I think I'm past that now and can recognize the good it does.  Hopefully I'll feel good enough to participate this year.

Tell us what you've done and give us ideas of ways to help.   

NancyD

I've been very willing to talk to anyone who has bc concerns. I've been rather open about it. The one exception to that was at a class reunion cocktail party, when a rather drunk friend brought a strange guy up to me and proceeded to tell him I had bilateral mastectomies for breast cancer. He had no interest in my health and my friend just wanted to dump him on me. So I excused myself and walked away.

But I have more information on bc than many of my friends. A few who have had biopsy scares in the past have also tried to educate themsleves. I've found that sometimes, it takes a close brush with it to really get the interest level up.

Sadly, I have one friend who does not have health insurance since she's self-employed and barely making ends meet. She has refused to get a mammo even though there are free ones available because she feels there is no free treatment if they do find breast cancer. So she'd rather stay blissfully ignorant.

If I could, I'd like to help women who are in that position find treatment options that they could afford. Does anyone know of a site or place where info on that is posted?

apple

i never wore a wig,.. (i did 2X actually for a wedding and funeral that i played at where i did not know the family).

granted my head was often at least partially covered but i took my scarf off all the time to let people know what bald was.

did it help?  i don't know

Leah_S

In addition to talking to people whenever I can, I made sure my sisters and cousins were aware of the family history (BRCA- but strong family history). My cousin had soreness in her breast and under her arm, and because of what I said went to have it checked out. The doc said it was from a recent virus she'd had that the lymph node was slightly swollen but because of fam hist strongly urged an immediate mammo. She agreed and DCIS was found on the other side - very small, she had a lumpectomy, will take Evista but didn't need rads. If I hadn't told her to be on top of things, she probably would have ignored the soreness and who knows when she would have had a mammo?

Leah

clariceak

I had a meeting with the department heads of my local hospital, who were very anxious to meet me after I wrote a strongly worded letter detailing all the lapses that delayed my dx and also indicated they were not doing enough for high risk women.

They assured me that they would bring in an outside expert on bc to talk with the providers on how to identify high risk women and alternate screening methods.  So far this hasn't happened, which reminds me that I need to follow up.  I feel like my advocacy also helped my youngest sister receive her preventative masectomy without any hassles.

Christy- that's awesome that you are reaching out to coworkers.  I am sorry to hear about your sister.  I didn't realize your situation. My youngest sister had bc as well but is doing ok.

tkone

Hi Anacortes Girl

(Waving from the other side of the water in Maple Valley )  I am on Facebook and saw the whole bra color thing.  I posted my bra color just like everyone else.  Did it help raise BC awareness?  Doubtful.  Did it occupy some time and get people asking questions-yes.  I wouldn't go so far as to say I was offended by it, it was harmless in my opinion.

That being said, I walk in the Susan G. Komen 3 day in Seattle with a team that is very public about raising funds.  We do auctions, dinners, parades, booths at farmer's markets etc. For this team I have done radio, television and newspaper articles. 

I also write a blog about my experience which I hope helps make cancer not so scary.  I get a lot of very positive feedback about my blog and hear from people all the time who tell me that it helps them to understand that cancer isn't just your mother's disease (I am 44).

As far as Facebook goes, I think you can use it for good or evil.  I try to use mine for good and anytime there is news about breast cancer research or statistics, I post it in my status.  I figure if someone passes it on to someone who needs it or it moves someone to ask me a question about breast cancer, then the pros of facebook have outnumbered the cons.

Tracy

ebarnes48

I will talk to anyone about my experiance  with BC,  I saw the bra thing on face book didnt realise it was a cancer awareness thing I though my friend was just being her normal daft idiot *LOL*  we had an older lady in our comunity who was dx with BC and wouldnt go for the surgery, so I asked her daughter if it would help if I came down and spoke with her.  the daughter said it might help.  So with false boob in hand down I went, told her all that had happened to me showed her the boob and bra's you get. also at her request showed her the scare that was left..   I found out a few days later she had the op  with out any problems and was home.

barbe1958

I don't wear prosthetics and have noticed people looking at my flat chest occasionally. If I feel it is appropriate, I mention it. I like when I see "the penny drop" and they figure it out.

hollyann

I wear my pink ribbon pins and sell the heck out of the pink ribbons in October....That being said I wear my pink ribbons on my uniform all the time and if someone comments on it I tell them I am a 3 yr survivor and tell them my story and how mine was found....Many are amazed because I don't look like a cancer patient....They all thought I was naturally big chested...LOL....I let them know the importance of SBE and the importance of listening to their bodies and following up if they feel soemthing is jus tnot right.......I had felt that I had something going on for a couple of years but thought it was all in my head.....I also told my sister a yr or two before that I felt she was ill too but she just brushed me off.....Turns out she had stage 3b BC......If she had listened to me a couple of yrs earlier it may have been cought earlier but who knows it may have still been the same dx......I have also been able to spot fellow survivors more easily...Anyone have this happen to them since your dx?......

jenn3

Since my dx I talk openly about it to anyone that asks.  I especially make it known that my BC was found by self exam and that cancer hurts (my lump was painful).  My daughters wear bracelets and tell my story to anyone that asks.  I am happy to say that since my dx, 3 co-workers, 2-friends and my Mom and Sister all had either their 1st mammogram or the mammogram they had been putting off because it "wasn't a good time".  Once I'm finished treatment I plan on doing more.

spar2

I was not offended by the what color is my bra on facebook.  It was simple, to the point, raised awareness, and made contributions go up.  I don't know why something like that is making some people go berserk.  We need to let go of the little things to handle the biggies.  I wear my pink ribbon, I wear my pink braclet, I have a blog.  I talk about it openly.  I contribute my money. I make hats and send them to oncology centers.  I send my friends hats.  I am growing my hair for locks of love.  We all do what we can to help and raise awareness.

AnacortesGirl

These are great responses!  And it has me re-thinking about wearing the pink ribbon.  Now that I'm the one fighting the idea of wearing a ribbon that could strike up a conversation to help educate seems like the right thing to do.  Especially since being ILC where mammos aren't enough to find the bc.

Since we found out my Mom & I are BRCA2 + we've contacted my cousins and some of her cousins in Norway.  So I was able to reconnect with my childhood cousin who I hadn't talked to in about 35 years.  That's been really cool.

I would love to hear more examples...

kim40

I talk to people openly about my experience this past year and answer any questions that they ask.  I have volunteered on the "Tour for the Cure" pink bus that ran through here this past September and was introduced to the public as a "young" survivor.  I also learned a lot on that bus that day.  Some symptoms that I had for a while and I didn't even know they were symptoms!!  I even learned how to do a proper BSE!!!

Because of my d/x, I decided from the beginning that I will not let it take over me, and something has to be done.  So, I drive with the Pink Ribbon magnet on my car, and I have a pink ribbon lunch box ready to go when I go back to work in April.  I also wear my pink ribbon on my jacket. 

My husband and I put a team together called "Kim's Gems"   We have done a lot of fundraising so far.  September past, we held a dance called "Dance for the Cure".  It was a great time.  My team and I put together a "Christmas Hamper" and sold tickets.  In February, we are having a Bowl-a-thon and in April, we are holding another dance.  We have done bottle drives, BBQ's - name it - we've done it.  We have also advertised all of our events through flyers, and the media. 

We do the "Run for the Cure" in October.

My work has alo been very supportive by donating their recycables to me and holding "Pink Fridays" as thier casual day in which all of the employees (7 of them) wear the shirts that announce our team name and the $2 they pay goes toward CBCF.

I'm raising money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  I love doing it.  I'm hoping that with more money raised, the faster they can find a cure.

KerryMac

Kim, that is fantastic. Wow, i should be doing something.

ebarnes48

Barbe I dont wear the false boob either, I am more comfy  without it,  I had my partners  teenage nephews and nieces laughing,  as I told them I had part of my halloween costume  when asked were  I'd stand up and turn side on and say look man then turn the other side and say look woman, my partner says my humour is dry and wierd, but you have to laugh  the BC is now part of me but its not taking me,

Joviangeldeb

Hi. Great post.   I am very vocal about breast cancer after my diagnosis.  I wear a pink ribbon necklace and a pin, and usually have 2 pink wristbands on everyday.  I work in a dental office, scheduling surgeries, checking out patients, billing insurance, etc...and I have a sign in my office that tells how long I've been a cancer survivor. I feel blessed for every day God gives me. My sign has opened communication for alot of patients that come into my office.  They will open up about if they've or a loved one has been diagnosed.  A few patients have recently been diagnosed and they will come to me for information or to aid them in some way.  I really feel this is one reason I was supposed to go through this horrible disease. My younger sister was diagnosed 1 year after me and I believe it eased her fears, seeing me go through the treatment. 

I hope to one day walk in our local breast cancer walk, but I haven't been able to the past 2 years because of illness.  I strive to next year, with several of my coworkers.  We're going to call our group the Barbara-ettes because I've nicknamed my prosthesis Barbara and we call her our new employee. her job title is 'Employee support'. 

I find humor has been a Godsend for me.  I found something humerous in every aspect of my treatment which helped me through the horror of the treatment and diagnosis.

Take care, ya'll,

Deb