Thoughts on Pinktober

I wrote this last year but thought it might be how some of you feel too.

Disclaimer-Yes, I am happy that breast cancer research is funded through the actions of others. Some companies give a lot, others don’t give as much as you would think. I am grateful to still be counted as a survivor. I am grateful that there are runs and walks in order to raise awareness. I am thankful for all my family and friends who were supportive and there for me during TYOC (The Year of Cancer). I do, however, feel the need to post this note.

Pinktober…through the eyes of a breast cancer survivor

Well, it’s here.The month of October.I used to love October before I became the “one” in the 1 in 8. Really, if you live in NJ it’s closer to 1 in 7. Now, some of you may be puzzled by my lack of enthusiasm for an entire month dedicated to pink products.This includes products like pink ribbons, pink pins, pink clothing, pink kitchenware, pink appliances, pink tic-tacs and, yes, even pink buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s time for me to let you in on a little secret. Many breast cancer survivors HATE this month and here are some reasons why:

1.  Pink is a color that seems soft and cuddly.I’m not sure how pink ended up being the “color of breast cancer” but I can tell you for certain that breast cancer is definitely not soft and cuddly. I’m not sure what the opposite of “soft and cuddly” is but whatever it is, that’s the color of breast cancer.

2.  Many survivors try to forget about breast cancer as much as we can. We can’t think about it all the time-it just doesn’t work for us. Trust me, I tried that.  Being in a heightened state of fear is, well,it sucks.  So, when it’s Pinktober and we go into a store, any store, just to pick something up, it brings us back to that scary place.  Some survivors say that when they see the massive pink displays they relive the moment of diagnosis. That’s a lot of emotion to process when you just wanted a $4.99 rotisserie chicken.

3.  When we express the fact that we hate Pinktober people will oftentimes look at us like there is something wrong with us.  Let’s put it this way…If you were in a horrible fire and narrowly escaped, or got out but with burns to part of your body, would you really want someone to be waving a lit candle around you several times a day for an entire month?

4.  There is so much pink crap sold by companies who actually give very small amounts to research.  I hesitate to type this because of course we want breast cancer research funded.  If you really want to help with that, donate money rather than buying a pink (insert name of product).  Alternatively, read the fine print to see how much money is actually going to research breast cancer.  Some companies donate a good portion of their profits to research and others, well, not so much.

5.  This is the month where I get phone calls asking me if I want to “give to breast cancer awareness”.  Really?I have to give money in order to be aware?  It’s not like I can avoid being aware of breast cancer at least twice a day (when dressing and undressing)…every day….every single day. Additionally, I think giving an actual breast (which aside from the cancer was pretty ok), along with my hair (also pretty ok most days) for about a year sort of pays the tab for me.

6.  This is also the month when people like to send survivors articles about what causes breast cancer.That fake Johns Hopkins one comes to mind.  Please don’t send us that.  It is not true and takes a blame the victim stance.

7.The slogans “Save Second Base”, “Save the Ta-Ta’s” “Save the Hooters” and “Big or Small, Save them All” completely miss the mark for many of us.  It is NOT about saving body parts.  It’s about saving lives.