I Don't Do Pink

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Cheesequake
Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
edited October 2015 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Posted to Facebook October 1, 2015. If you'd like to share this post on your Facebook page, click here.

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Please share. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease isn't pink or fun, it's deadly. If you update your Facebook status for a day or post a silly photo to "raise awareness", don't forget to back it up with real action:

- donate blood, platelets and/or bone marrow (https://bethematch.org/About-us/)
- donate hair http://pantene.com/en-us/brandexperience/make-the-cut
- or donate money. Please specify that you want it to go to research. I recommend the following organizations:

BreastCancer.org - the site where I learned most everything when I was diagnosed, and where I still learn daily.
http://support.breastcancer.org/donatenow

Metavivor - While 30% of all breast cancer patients will metastasize (that is, have their cancer spread to other areas), only 2% of funding goes to investigate metastatic breast cancer.
https://secure.metavivor.org/page/contribute/

Please check CharityNavigator.org before deciding where to donate.

A quote from TheDivineMrsM, a woman at BreastCancer.org, currently dealing with Stage IV incurable breast cancer: "The party atmosphere often surrounding pink ribbon promotions and campaigns conceals the harsh, devastating effects of breast cancer. We are not celebrating a holiday. This is not a sporting event where the side wearing the most team colors wins."

Breast cancer awareness isn't about "saving second base." Here's the reality:

Over 40,000 people will die of breast cancer in the US in 2015.

There will be over 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the US this year. More than 2300 of them will be men.

Metastatic breast cancer (spread of the cancer usually to the brain, liver, lungs or bones) is incurable. Metastatic disease is the initial diagnosis for 6-10% of all new U.S. breast cancer cases each year.

Nearly 3 in 10 women who have had early breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic disease.

About 10% of breast cancer cases are genetic. Roughly 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors.

Statistics mean nothing. Reality is either 100% or 0%.

____________

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Comments

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited October 2015

    Very good! I am sharing it now.

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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited October 2015

    Thank you ruthbru! 51 FB shares so far. Hopefully all of us posting so much anti-Pinktober stuff will raise the real awareness.

    I went into a Mexican restaurant today that was selling pink shirts for $15, with the restaurant logo and a ribbon in white in the middle of the chest. $5 of each purchase went to Komen. I just walked out fuming. Argh!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Shared. I also believe that the instance of metastatic breast cancer as initial diagnosis is even higher for black women.

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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited October 2015

    patoo, the differences for black and Latino women is definitely an area where awareness IS needed. A friend shared my post on Facebook, and a doctor commented on it:

    "I like the tagline, but pictures like this bother me for other reasons. Patients are always surprised when I tell them the average woman with breast cancer is in her 60s. That's not the image portrayed in the media--usually a young thin white woman, often with big boobs. Breast cancer is the number 1 cancer death amongst Latino women and African American women disproportionately have more aggressive forms. Images of young white women in advertising campaigns do a disservice--younger women believe they are at higher risk, and my older patients believe they are lower risk as they don't see themselves pictured. For a 60+-year-old woman, campaigns like Save the TaTas are gross and offensive. I remind people you're talking about your grandma's boobs."

    My friend had to point out to the doctor that my post wasn't advertising!

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  • aunt_paula
    aunt_paula Member Posts: 271
    edited October 2015

    Excellent! I'm sharing it too.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Thanks Cheesequake. I felt the same regarding the picture and your friend worded it well.

    You can also browse this website: http://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/ as they are excellent in supporting African Americans and also deserve to be added to a well-deserved list to give contributions. There are local chapters who do wonderful work for my sisters around the country and the world who find themselves facing this disease from accompanying them to doctor visits, paying for mammos and even some treatments, and hosting support groups and conferences and amazing resources.

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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited October 2015

    The photo is of me. Taken by me.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Hmmmm, funny, you don't look like me, 60+ AA with BC so the doctor's comment was right! (just playing with you)

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2015

    Cheesequake, love your picture and the determination on your face.

    I have to say, the doctor comment does make a good point: ...the average woman with breast cancer is in her 60s. Images of young white women in advertising campaigns do a disservice--younger women believe they are at higher risk, and my older patients believe they are lower risk as they don't see themselves pictured. For a 60+-year-old woman, campaigns like Save the TaTas are gross and offensive. I remind people you're talking about your grandma's boobs."

    I am so sick of young sexy women being the poster gals for practically e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. The sexualizing of breast cancer is just.so.wrong.

    And I dont recall ever seeing pink ribbon promotional material using African American or Latino women as their models, much less older women who've put on weight. You know, it really sucks when you think about it. It's like everything in this nation is geared towards the 18-35 year old demographic of women who like to shop. Something's gotta give

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  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 376
    edited October 2015

    Shared


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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited October 2015

    Women under the age of 35 make up one percent of the new cases diagnosed each year.


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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited October 2015

    You are gorgeous, Cheesecake!

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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited October 2015

    Upworthy has posted an article about Pinktober and they recommend 5 alternatives to Komen, et al, including the Sisters Network Inc. Click here to read. Another good article to spread around the web.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited October 2015

    shared that on FB too.

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