Am I the only one dreading October?

Yup. Maybe doubly for me because both my surgeries were in October. I clearly remember the phone call a few days after the lumpectomy that blindsided me with the news that what had looked like DCIS on initial biopsy had turned out to be IDC upon surgical pathology, and I'd need more surgery to check lymph nodes. After a long exhausting day of learning more and scheduling a second surgery and updating my people and generally thinking of nothing but breast cancer for hours, I made a grocery stop, as much for the comfort of a safe familiar routine and place than for any actual grocery needs. The first thing I saw upon entering was a huge pinked-out display. Pink cookies! Pink water bottles! Pink picnic supplies! Ribbons, ribbons, ribbons. And a big pink neon sign that said "Ha! We caught you thinking for more than two seconds about something other than the fact that you have invasive breast cancer, so here's a reminder." (OK, there wasn't actually a sign, but there might as well have been.)

I know there was a time when breast cancer and mammograms were taboo topics, and it may well be that Pinktober has saved a lot of lives. Maybe it continues to do so. But I really wish there was a way to opt out once you've actually had it.

Yep. I have way too many aquaintances that like to keep up with the Joneses. It's not terrible if you look past it and think okay well maybe they just want to share their happiness and think others would like to know they are doing well because friends tend to care. On the other hand, I know for a fact that my feeds and emails will be flooded with Pinktober walks, full of pictures of people laughing and having day picnics to celebrate their willingness to go out and walk in a social setting for something they aren't connected to in any way. I know I'll be asked to donate to their virtuous causes by buying the kiddos pink box of cookies or fancy cooking utensil with the added bonus of helping their small side business and "curing cancer".

I will be reminded almost every day, and almost everywhere that I am getting treated for breast cancer, even though I so desperately want to not have it on my mind. Although it's not my favorite color, I actually like pink. I hate that companies have adopted cancer awareness as a theme, with guaranteed triggering statements and a specific color to get you on their team. And I hate that I will most definitely end up feeling guilty for despising family and friends for a few seconds for being healthy and smiley while wearing that pink t shirt and sporting the new pink mouse pad they bought, because it reminds me that I am not healthy and they are smiling because they are not me.

Thank you for sharing that, moth. Exactly how I feel right now.

I am few years out from my BC and I hate October BC Awareness Month. At my company, they hand out pink t-shirts so they can get photos to post on social media to show how much they care. They do not do raise one penny . . . for anything. It's all a PR stunt. I declined my shirt. I counter the BC silliness with an all out Halloween Decor--go Orange!

I posted this in another area, but didn’t get any replies. So my apologies in advance for the second post.

My question is on advocating for better funding for MBC and for disparity in care. Can anyone share how they have successfully become involved in advocacy? Thanks!

thank you, Moth! I thought you might answer.

I've already shared how turned off I am about how breast cancer awareness is marketed in October, but I would like to advocate regardless. Thanks to those who have already shared links to better places to support. Along with those, are there any other links I can post on my socials? Thanks in advance.

I don't mind pink or breast cancer awareness month. But the people who came up with "save the ta tas" or "save the boobies" or people who just wear that kind of stuff need to smacked up side of the head.

I wrote a guest post for Nany's Point for her regular mets Monday feature. It's called "Dear breast cancer survivor" - about how breast cancer & advocacy campaigns have to include metastatic patients

https://t.co/rNOGSNC8Q0?amp=1