Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- Pink Ribbons anyone?
I also try to inform people at this time that Men can/and do get Breast Cancer,too. That doctors should give men "breast exams" for lumps. That men over 50 need mamograms,too.
So let's get out our Pink hats, Pink T-shirts,Pink shoes and Pink Ribbons to celebrate!!!
(((HUGS))) and Prayers to all
A Pink Brother
Robert
Comments
-
Our Date is October 13 - MBC Awareness Day
October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and we don't wear a "Pink" ribbon either. I have seen a lot of pink around already and try not to look. Pinking garbage cans, cement trucks, oil trucks, newspapers, the white house, foot ball players, cupcakes, yogurt doesn't equate to a cure. It does go a long way in confusing people that we have a cure and few people die from breast cancer.
I always inform people that it is a disease that doesn't discriminate. It can happen to both sexes, doesn't matter if your sitting on a pot of gold or have 2 cents to rub together, doesn't matter if your 93 or 13, you can still have breast cancer.
I have loathed the color pink ever since I was diagnose, 18+ years ago. All the hoopla for "Racing for a Cure" or "Relay for Life" neither have come close to finding a cure. It has lined the pockets of CEO with the color green (money).
Robert the pink parade isn't for you, me and thousands of others living with metastatic breast cancer. You need to give the pink hats, pink t-shirts, pink shoes and pink ribbons to the "Survivors".
October was always my favorite month, now I find it the worst month of the year. What happen to orange and black for October?
Doris0 -
13 Facts About Metastatic Breast Cancer:SIROD said:Our Date is October 13 - MBC Awareness Day
October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and we don't wear a "Pink" ribbon either. I have seen a lot of pink around already and try not to look. Pinking garbage cans, cement trucks, oil trucks, newspapers, the white house, foot ball players, cupcakes, yogurt doesn't equate to a cure. It does go a long way in confusing people that we have a cure and few people die from breast cancer.
I always inform people that it is a disease that doesn't discriminate. It can happen to both sexes, doesn't matter if your sitting on a pot of gold or have 2 cents to rub together, doesn't matter if your 93 or 13, you can still have breast cancer.
I have loathed the color pink ever since I was diagnose, 18+ years ago. All the hoopla for "Racing for a Cure" or "Relay for Life" neither have come close to finding a cure. It has lined the pockets of CEO with the color green (money).
Robert the pink parade isn't for you, me and thousands of others living with metastatic breast cancer. You need to give the pink hats, pink t-shirts, pink shoes and pink ribbons to the "Survivors".
October was always my favorite month, now I find it the worst month of the year. What happen to orange and black for October?
Doris
1. No one dies from breast cancer that remains in the breast. Metastasis occurs when cancerous cells travel to a vital organ and that is what threatens life.
2. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body: bones, liver, lungs or brain.
3. An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
4. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is life-long and focuses on control of the disease and quality of life.
5. About 6% to 10% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.
6. Early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person's original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms.
7. 20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with early stage disease will develop metastatic breast cancer.
8. Young persons, as well as men, can be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
9. Like early stage breast cancer, there are different types of metastatic breast cancer.
10. Treatment choices are guided by breast cancer type, location and extent of metastasis in the body, previous treatments and other factors.
11. Metastatic breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of the disease, some will live long, productive lives.
12. There are no definitive prognostic statistics for metastatic breast cancer. Every patient and their disease are unique.
13. To learn more about National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and access resources specifically for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, visit www. mbcn.org
Taken from the mbcn.org web page0 -
Didn't mean to rain pink on you!
Robert, I don't know what date is your birthday, Have a Happy One..
Didn't mean to rain "Pink" on your post. So many people don't understand that there is a difference between those who are stage 0-3C and stage IV. So many don't even know there is a special day for us, October 13th.
Doris0 -
The Color GREENSIROD said:Our Date is October 13 - MBC Awareness Day
October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and we don't wear a "Pink" ribbon either. I have seen a lot of pink around already and try not to look. Pinking garbage cans, cement trucks, oil trucks, newspapers, the white house, foot ball players, cupcakes, yogurt doesn't equate to a cure. It does go a long way in confusing people that we have a cure and few people die from breast cancer.
I always inform people that it is a disease that doesn't discriminate. It can happen to both sexes, doesn't matter if your sitting on a pot of gold or have 2 cents to rub together, doesn't matter if your 93 or 13, you can still have breast cancer.
I have loathed the color pink ever since I was diagnose, 18+ years ago. All the hoopla for "Racing for a Cure" or "Relay for Life" neither have come close to finding a cure. It has lined the pockets of CEO with the color green (money).
Robert the pink parade isn't for you, me and thousands of others living with metastatic breast cancer. You need to give the pink hats, pink t-shirts, pink shoes and pink ribbons to the "Survivors".
October was always my favorite month, now I find it the worst month of the year. What happen to orange and black for October?
Doris
I agree with you,Doris,about many peoples pockets being lined with the "green" stuff instead of finding a cure for breast cancer. I also love black & orange for this month,too.
I am so sorry that you have been "PINKED OUT". It's kind of funny to see big,strong men wearing pink shoes though.
Robert0 -
My BirthdaySIROD said:Didn't mean to rain pink on you!
Robert, I don't know what date is your birthday, Have a Happy One..
Didn't mean to rain "Pink" on your post. So many people don't understand that there is a difference between those who are stage 0-3C and stage IV. So many don't even know there is a special day for us, October 13th.
Doris
My birthday is October 7th. Don't worry about "raining on my post", that's just how you feel about being "victimized" by large corporations taking advantage of people with this desease.
I was Stage 3 bc in 2007. Was cancer free for three years before it metastasized to my bones in October 2010. It is in my ribs,upper & lower spine, right hip and now in my neck. I also have 3 small "dots" on my left lung. I assumed that I was still Stage III till my onc told me in Jan. of this year that I was in fact Stage IV. I am planing on living a very long time still.
I love seeing things from your point of view. Don't ever be afraid to "rain" on somebody if you don't agree with them, that's freedom of speach!
(((HUGS))) and Prayers to you,Doris.
Robert0 -
Robert, In case I don't getManWithaMission said:My Birthday
My birthday is October 7th. Don't worry about "raining on my post", that's just how you feel about being "victimized" by large corporations taking advantage of people with this desease.
I was Stage 3 bc in 2007. Was cancer free for three years before it metastasized to my bones in October 2010. It is in my ribs,upper & lower spine, right hip and now in my neck. I also have 3 small "dots" on my left lung. I assumed that I was still Stage III till my onc told me in Jan. of this year that I was in fact Stage IV. I am planing on living a very long time still.
I love seeing things from your point of view. Don't ever be afraid to "rain" on somebody if you don't agree with them, that's freedom of speach!
(((HUGS))) and Prayers to you,Doris.
Robert
Robert, In case I don't get on line on October 7th, I wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MANY MORE!!! It is people like you that are helping me to keep a positive outlook after being newly diagnosed. I start chemo tomorrow and will be thinking of everyone on this site that has been inspirational to me.
Tonia0 -
When I was first diagnosed Iladyg said:I am doing
the "pink" thing. I have shirts, a purse, a braclet and today I picked up a pink ribbon pin at the medical building where my surgeon is. I am a survivor and proud of it!
Hugs,
Georgia
When I was first diagnosed I couldnt wear pink or look at pink. Now after a year of treatment I have just begun to wear a support bracelette, pink ribbon ball cap and an occasional cause tshirt. My feelings changed from I refuse to be a walking poster child for BC to by God I fought my heart out and have been through hell and back and I survived..... IDK I just feel protective of 'us' and pink in some way now.
Black and orange (and purple and green) is great for Halloween and I love decorating....I have to admit though, this year I put a pink tutu on my life size skeleton LOL
Hugs to all, Juls0 -
I HATE PINK
I hate the color PINK and have never worn it since I was old enough to choose my clothes - until after my DX.
Yes I do hate those who use (Oct) BC to profit but I do believe that the more exposure there is - the better. Hubby and Son wear their "Tough Enough To Wear Pink" bracelets 24/7/365. It is amazing how many times they are asked about it and how many who they gave my number to have called me for info. It's also amazing how many men will ask other men questionns when they see one who is proud enough to show support their loved one.
Certainly some of the ads do infer less than the truth BUT anything that raises thought is good as far as I am concerned. Is all the info 100% factual - clearly NO.
If only one person is ecuacted ^ that's great.0 -
I love Pink
Robert,
Thanks for reminding me that men are part of the awareness this month too! I posted an article about the drummer from KISS on my FB page. I also found this one.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/17/exkiss-drummer-raises-mon_n_721101.html
I have been an advocate for BC since my sister died in 2005. That is part of the reason I do mammograms for a living. Because of that, I have way more pink than I ever thought was possible. Now that I am a survivor, not much has changed in that respect. I have my Av's, Brett Farve and Bronko's pink ribbon tops to wear to work this month. It is hard to have to switch to Halloween too. But since I work in the mammo dept, I can wear pink ribbon anytime!
I purchase all of my pink tees from www.thebreastcancersite.com. They even have a "made in the USA section". So aside from helping fund mammos for women that can't afford it, I can support the US economy.
Cindy0 -
Robert i wish you a very
Robert i wish you a very happy birthday now encase i'm not on the 7th.I have a pink ribbon tattoo on my chest so i always have one, plus i do have other pink cloths i wear which my children have gotten for me as they are very proud of me being a survivor and where with me every step of the way.Have a great weekend.Hope you are doing okay.
Hugs Frankie0 -
I am so happy that you are
I am so happy that you are here to represent men! There are too few on our board and I know there are many suffering out there. One of the pediatricians I work with has a family riddled with only male breast cancer.
Some hate the pink, but I am for anything at all that brings awareness. It is my habit to also make a donation to cancer research in October.
Getting out my pink outfit now :-)0 -
For Me: Pink = Strength
For me the meaning of pink has changed. Before being diagnosed, I only thought of it as a color. My daughter, when she was in preschool and kindergarten, loved pink and wanted to wear it every single day!
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't want anything to do with pink because I didn't want to associate with anything connected with cancer. As someone already mentioned, I didn't want to be a poster child for breast cancer.
It's been 3 years since being diagnosed and now I view pink in a new light. I see it as having great STRENGTH! I have attended two Revlon Run/Walk events and found it inspirational and moving. I went to celebrate me and to pay tribute to the ones who have fallen and who are battling. I also contribute to causes that strive to find a cure(s).
Lastly,
Happy Birthday to You, Robert!
Wishing you your hearts desire and more on your
special day and the many to follow!0 -
Awareness for Metastatic Breast CancerCypressCynthia said:I am so happy that you are
I am so happy that you are here to represent men! There are too few on our board and I know there are many suffering out there. One of the pediatricians I work with has a family riddled with only male breast cancer.
Some hate the pink, but I am for anything at all that brings awareness. It is my habit to also make a donation to cancer research in October.
Getting out my pink outfit now :-)
CC,
There is a new movement that is asking for "Awareness of Metastatic Breast Cancer", the only one that is terminal. I do hope that your donation goes to Metativors or MBCN, or a group that are fighting for us, those with stage IV.
You might be interested on how much the Komen Foundation gives to education and how little in comparison it gives to research. You might want to read their brochure a little closer and notices that there is no mention of those who have stage IV. They are now for the first time using Ads for MBC. A new source of revenue, perhaps?
A good read is “Pink Ribbon Blues”, I highly recommend it.
Doris0 -
The Other Side of "Pink"Bella Luna said:For Me: Pink = Strength
For me the meaning of pink has changed. Before being diagnosed, I only thought of it as a color. My daughter, when she was in preschool and kindergarten, loved pink and wanted to wear it every single day!
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't want anything to do with pink because I didn't want to associate with anything connected with cancer. As someone already mentioned, I didn't want to be a poster child for breast cancer.
It's been 3 years since being diagnosed and now I view pink in a new light. I see it as having great STRENGTH! I have attended two Revlon Run/Walk events and found it inspirational and moving. I went to celebrate me and to pay tribute to the ones who have fallen and who are battling. I also contribute to causes that strive to find a cure(s).
Lastly,
Happy Birthday to You, Robert!
Wishing you your hearts desire and more on your
special day and the many to follow!
Dear Bella Luna,
Please read the essay by Laura Wells who also has a story about “Pink”. She is stage IV now, a wife, and a mother of 3 daughters. Her essay is on the MBCN page but I first read it on one of the other sites I visit daily. It was written "In honor of the women who are fighting and the women we are losing".
Laura’s essay is title “Beyond Pink” and it really is well worth reading. Copy and paste the following:
http://mbcnbuzz.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/beyond-pink/
Doris0 -
My two centsBella Luna said:For Me: Pink = Strength
For me the meaning of pink has changed. Before being diagnosed, I only thought of it as a color. My daughter, when she was in preschool and kindergarten, loved pink and wanted to wear it every single day!
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't want anything to do with pink because I didn't want to associate with anything connected with cancer. As someone already mentioned, I didn't want to be a poster child for breast cancer.
It's been 3 years since being diagnosed and now I view pink in a new light. I see it as having great STRENGTH! I have attended two Revlon Run/Walk events and found it inspirational and moving. I went to celebrate me and to pay tribute to the ones who have fallen and who are battling. I also contribute to causes that strive to find a cure(s).
Lastly,
Happy Birthday to You, Robert!
Wishing you your hearts desire and more on your
special day and the many to follow!
I have such mixed feelings about October. I wish it was used more to educate the public about breast cancer. I guess all the pink hype is the way to raise money, tho and I'm for raising money, but too many businesses use it as an opportunity to sell their stuff. I just bought mushrooms with a pink ribbon! Good grief! I'm so happy there are so many survivors and I'm all for celebrating our survivorship, but October has become one big pink party and breast cancer is serious business.
I will be sitting outside Safeway a few times this month distributing literature for the WeCARE Peer Navigator program. Safeway sponsors this program. It is a very good program. We are not collecting $$, just recruiting volunteers (survivors) and educating the public about the program in case there is someone in need. It's giving, not taking. But people race to their cars to avoid us because they think we want $$ and they've been approached almost everywhere to give, give, give. That is sad.
I attended a fundraiser last night. It was fun and proceeds went to a good organization that provides some financial assistance for screening and testing for uninsured. It's a small organization and I think the money does go where it says it will. I met some lovely people and had a nice time.
We could give on every corner and attend an event every night of the month in October.
Race for the Cure is in May and there are other breast cancer events in months other than October. It isn't just October.
So much $$ is collected for breast cancer. Where does it all go?
My dear Pinks, did you know that last month was gynecologic cancer awareness month? It was also childhood cancer awareness month, prostate cancer awareness month, thyroid cancer awareness month, leukemia and lymphoma awareness month. How much did you hear about any of these cancers? I did see some ads on CNN about gyn cancers, but nothing else anywhere. I also had a phone solilcitation to give to childhood cancer. That's all I experienced in September and I looked.
I had uterine cancer (the "good" kind). I lost a wonderful friend in June to uterine cancer (the "bad" kind). Another good friend who was dx'd the same time I was (2.5 years ago), has a recurrence of her uterine cancer (also the "bad" kind). She's having chemo again. Yet we hear practically nothing about gyn cancers. Occasionally something about ovarian.
Just bothers me. I don't have an answer. I do support October, it's just a little much.
Suzanne
PS I am wearing my pink bracelet this month.0 -
Awareness!lowenjuls said:When I was first diagnosed I
When I was first diagnosed I couldnt wear pink or look at pink. Now after a year of treatment I have just begun to wear a support bracelette, pink ribbon ball cap and an occasional cause tshirt. My feelings changed from I refuse to be a walking poster child for BC to by God I fought my heart out and have been through hell and back and I survived..... IDK I just feel protective of 'us' and pink in some way now.
Black and orange (and purple and green) is great for Halloween and I love decorating....I have to admit though, this year I put a pink tutu on my life size skeleton LOL
Hugs to all, Juls
Dear ladies,
I am not saying that you should shun pink except to “think before you pink”. A lot of the money that you might believe goes towards research doesn’t when purchasing "Pink October" items. If you feel like making a donation make certain that the group you choose will be using every $1.00 for research.
Have you ever checked out where all the billions of dollars raised for breast cancer goes? "Awareness", what planet do the people who have not heard of breast cancer reside on? Most people are so "aware" of breast cancer celebration they believe the disease has a cure.
If everyone would “think before they pink” and gave their money towards research maybe by the time 30% of you will be stage IV, they might really have something that will keep you alive for decades and maybe that illusive cure.
Isn’t this what you want to see happen than buying a lot pink item ?
Doris0 -
Pink October can and will save lives!SIROD said:Awareness for Metastatic Breast Cancer
CC,
There is a new movement that is asking for "Awareness of Metastatic Breast Cancer", the only one that is terminal. I do hope that your donation goes to Metativors or MBCN, or a group that are fighting for us, those with stage IV.
You might be interested on how much the Komen Foundation gives to education and how little in comparison it gives to research. You might want to read their brochure a little closer and notices that there is no mention of those who have stage IV. They are now for the first time using Ads for MBC. A new source of revenue, perhaps?
A good read is “Pink Ribbon Blues”, I highly recommend it.
Doris
I first want to say Happy Birthday to you Robert, so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And, I also want to say that your intent on this post, or I thought, was about pink, pink for bc. Somewhere it seemed to take a wrong turn, in my opinion. I don't care what company or what store uses pink. If it makes even ONE person aware of breast cancer, then it is worth it, in my opinion. You know why? Because that one person might be a woman who had put off getting a mammogram, and, it might make her go get one and it could save her life! Turning October to Pink is to bring attention to breast cancer. Yes, breast cancer period! Not stage 0, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, or, stage 4...just breast cancer.
Also, we are all terminal...every single person on this earth is. We are all going to die. It could be from cancer, it could be from a car accident, a bad reaction to meds, walking across the street, some other disease, it could be a heart attack, it could be fighting in a war...who knows?
Pink October can only do good! I've been approached many times because I might be wearing my pink survivor bracelet or pink watch or one of my tops. Usually, it is a survivor, but, many times it is someone who has had their life touched by someone with bc. Like most of you, I am 100% behind the pink, even if I don't like the color. And, thanks Robert for your good intentions by posting this. Real men do wear pink!
Sorry Robert, but, I just had to get this off my chest.
Hugs, Jan0 -
AwarenessSIROD said:Awareness!
Dear ladies,
I am not saying that you should shun pink except to “think before you pink”. A lot of the money that you might believe goes towards research doesn’t when purchasing "Pink October" items. If you feel like making a donation make certain that the group you choose will be using every $1.00 for research.
Have you ever checked out where all the billions of dollars raised for breast cancer goes? "Awareness", what planet do the people who have not heard of breast cancer reside on? Most people are so "aware" of breast cancer celebration they believe the disease has a cure.
If everyone would “think before they pink” and gave their money towards research maybe by the time 30% of you will be stage IV, they might really have something that will keep you alive for decades and maybe that illusive cure.
Isn’t this what you want to see happen than buying a lot pink item ?
Doris
Doris,
As much as everyone knows about BC, they still don't realize that women are still dying from BC. When my sister died at 43 years old in 2005, my sister in law said "I didn't know people still died from breast cancer".
Because so many survive, most people know someone that has beaten the beast. Even I did not know anyone who died from BC til my sister. I had known lots of women that survived BC, I still do.
Now I do what I can to educate people. Alot of people think that since I finished treatment, I don't need to worry about the beast. God willing, they are right. In reality, who knows.
I do "think before I pink" as much as I can, but I always have something pink!
Cindy0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.6K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 308 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 395 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.3K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 791 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 234 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 56 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.4K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 534 Sarcoma
- 719 Skin Cancer
- 646 Stomach Cancer
- 190 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.9K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards