Well ladies, looks like this is our month!!!!

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Mama G
Mama G Member Posts: 762
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
How do you all feel about being reminded every commercial that we have Breast Cancer!!??
I'm so glad that they do this, but it's a double edged sword. If the $$$ made can help find a cure then GO FOR IT~ Are we getting closer? sometimes it seems like it and then I go on here and read how one of our pink sisters is back on the battle ground, or has lost the battle and I wonder.
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  • shy violet
    shy violet Member Posts: 167
    #2
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    We need the commitment to
    We need the commitment to make this cancer chronic, not life threatening, make it to where we can get care and not be turned away because of our insurance, and make it where people don't make so darn much money off the chemo, drugs, etc...maybe they should be required to share the profits with us.......
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
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    I LOVE this month!!!
    I get a bang out of the expressions on faces when I say "Well, it's my month, too...I'm a 5 year survivor. And, with the colon cancer diagnosis just 6 months before, I was given 6 months to live, 6 years ago!".....and I watch, and I wait. And soon, I am congratulated by some, and questioned by others who have a friend or family member currently in the fight...

    A real, live cancer survivor who only changes from mild mannered (WHO? ME????) civilian to a breast cancer super-hero when she sees pink!!!

    ROFLMAO!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
    #4
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    Too much for me
    Mama G,

    I have to say that I am glad that these commercials, magazine ads, and thousands of "pink" products bring awareness to this disease. If all of this stuff prompts women (and men) to see their doctors for early detection and treatment that is great, but I can't STAND the fact that I can't open up one magazine without seeing a bc article or Susan Koman ad. I am tired of being reminded of the thing I think about every morning when I look in the mirror. I watch TV and read magazines for relaxation and a way to escape my life for a little while - these constant reminders always slam me back to reality. Going to the mall anytime in October will be the same way with all of the pink products.
  • pscheer
    pscheer Member Posts: 56 Member
    #5
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    I was diagnosed last year in
    I was diagnosed last year in Sept. and when all the pink started in Oct., I decided it was perfect timing. This year, I sometimes wish I could forget for just a few minutes, but am soooo happy that everyone is trying to find a cure. The more it's in everyone's face, the better for us. Pink was always my favorite color and I am glad it still is. I get very emotional and am not sure how I will handle seeing pink ribbons on the doors at work, but again, glad it is getting attention. Hurry, hurry and kill the beast so we can be well.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #6
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    pscheer said:

    I was diagnosed last year in
    I was diagnosed last year in Sept. and when all the pink started in Oct., I decided it was perfect timing. This year, I sometimes wish I could forget for just a few minutes, but am soooo happy that everyone is trying to find a cure. The more it's in everyone's face, the better for us. Pink was always my favorite color and I am glad it still is. I get very emotional and am not sure how I will handle seeing pink ribbons on the doors at work, but again, glad it is getting attention. Hurry, hurry and kill the beast so we can be well.

    I think it's all a good
    I think it's all a good thing, even if we are reminded of it most every day. I must tell you, there is so much money that goes into this and I want to believe they will find a cure, but I don't think they will. I sure hope I am wrong.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #7
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    Wolfi said:

    Too much for me
    Mama G,

    I have to say that I am glad that these commercials, magazine ads, and thousands of "pink" products bring awareness to this disease. If all of this stuff prompts women (and men) to see their doctors for early detection and treatment that is great, but I can't STAND the fact that I can't open up one magazine without seeing a bc article or Susan Koman ad. I am tired of being reminded of the thing I think about every morning when I look in the mirror. I watch TV and read magazines for relaxation and a way to escape my life for a little while - these constant reminders always slam me back to reality. Going to the mall anytime in October will be the same way with all of the pink products.

    Awareness to What?
    Does the Pink Ribbon remind people that over 40,000 women and men die from Breast Cancer every year?

    Or is the pink ribbon just a lot of hype?

    Early detection does not cure. I've known many women who were stage 0 and 1 and they did die from breast cancer.

    I have often thought that Nancy Blinker changed her tactics from cure to awareness. There is NO CURE at the moment for Breast Cancer. There won't be "one size fits all, cure". Breast Cancer is an umbrella to many different types of this disease and so far, there are only 3 that have a sort of target therapy. Those hormonals and herceptin won''t cure once, a bc cells makes it's home in another organ.

    Awareness a la Komen only keeps Nancy Blinker a CEO of a very profitable business.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #8
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    Kat11 said:

    I think it's all a good
    I think it's all a good thing, even if we are reminded of it most every day. I must tell you, there is so much money that goes into this and I want to believe they will find a cure, but I don't think they will. I sure hope I am wrong.

    I Agree!
    All the pinking does is make the corporations who look like they support the search for a cure, a little richer. What percentage is really given to research from buying "pink ribbon" products on the market during Pink October?

    How much money goes in finding the cure for when metastasis sets in? Hardly any!
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #9
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    SIROD said:

    I Agree!
    All the pinking does is make the corporations who look like they support the search for a cure, a little richer. What percentage is really given to research from buying "pink ribbon" products on the market during Pink October?

    How much money goes in finding the cure for when metastasis sets in? Hardly any!

    Don't get me on my soapbox!
    First I am all for awareness and raising $$ for research for bc. Afterall, we all have it and we want progress to be made. Our lives are at stake, afterall. What bothers me the most are the profits made by products marketed vs. the actual amount of $$ that gets funneled to finding the cure (I don't have statistics, just a sense thata whole lot of people and corporations are making a lot of $$ from our misfortune).

    My other issue is breast cancer is only one in a miriad of other cancers and it gets most of the hype. Last month was gynecologic cancer month. How much did you hear about that? We are seeing and hearing more about other cancers,but it just still seems that the most emphasis is placed on breast cancer, maybe it's all the catchy phrases and being pink.

    I don't know what the answer is. I know next year when I'm finished with all my treatments, I plan to participate in walks as a survivor and to participate in other cancer activities. I see those types of activities as comraderie and support for me personally as well as fund raising.

    Suzanne
  • AMomNETN
    AMomNETN Member Posts: 242
    #10
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    Oct.
    I look at it as a way to get the word out and to help others. Each month I survive is a victory for me and others. I do the pink thing all year round, not just now. Because we have banded together as sisters those who walked this path before us, have helped us all be where we are today. BC Awareness is a year round goal not just Oct.

    Janie
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #11
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    I am so glad you posted,
    because, well where do I start? I am glad that it brings awareness to the general public. But, BUT... this is my cancerversay month. On the 28th. 1 year. We all know how it feels, scary as h*ll. I'm holding my breath, even though I've met NED....

    Today at the grocery store, 2 lovely ladies in their pink shirts at their overly pink booth right as you walk in, all smiles and I just said "I gave" and I put one hand on my left boob and one one my right and said "a little of this one and and a little of this one, too".

    Where did that come from?

    I can't begin to tell you how important I think it is to get the word out. And wonderful people who donate their time and resources, I can't begin to thank. But, it makes me so emotional. How can I explain?

    Sue
  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome Member Posts: 145
    #12
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    AMomNETN said:

    Oct.
    I look at it as a way to get the word out and to help others. Each month I survive is a victory for me and others. I do the pink thing all year round, not just now. Because we have banded together as sisters those who walked this path before us, have helped us all be where we are today. BC Awareness is a year round goal not just Oct.

    Janie

    This is a great statement!

    This is a great statement!
  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome Member Posts: 145
    #13
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    Boy oh boy I have mixed
    Boy oh boy I have mixed feelings about all of the PINK stuff in the stores and all the ads on the radio,T.V. and in magizines.
    My friends have bought me PINK things and the other day one of them said she wasn't sure if she should buy me stuff like that or if I would want to wear them. I do wear a pink pin on my jackets and I want the T-shirt that says "Yeah there fake my real ones tried to kill me"
    I want to believe that we should support PINK everyday of the year in hopes that someone will see it and take care of themselfs before they are told what we have been told.
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #14
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    My mother just told me about
    an article she read in the Wallstreet Journal about how they are totally revamping how they go about staging and treating breast cancer on the gene levels because after so many years of doing things the same way, they're finding it's not really working! So...the whole philosophy of how they go about treating it is going to be on the individuals genetics and cellular makeup.

    If being annoyed by the invasion of "PINK" everywhere for a month helps bring about higher rates of cures and new ways of treating and CURING breast cancer, than bring it on!!

    I'm gonna get a "pink" hair extension this month for the cause! Never have done that before, but my hairdresser is particpating in the campaigne and it only costs $10 bucks and half of the money goes to BC research! May even get two extensions!! LOL.

    Blessings,
    Sally
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #15
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    Mama G
    I have supported Breast Cancer Awareness for many years. Being the 5th in my family with bc I have given dollars, bought products and walked for the Cure. My grandmother died when I was 5 years old - 56 years ago. I started getting mammos at age 35 - 26 years ago. My aunt had a mastectomy 22 years ago and she's 90 years old now. I'm the oldest of 4 girls and 3 of us have bc. You betcha that I'll continue to support cancer research! I'm hoping for a cure for my daughter and my granddaughters!
    Char
  • John_32
    John_32 Member Posts: 71
    #16
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    cahjah75 said:

    Mama G
    I have supported Breast Cancer Awareness for many years. Being the 5th in my family with bc I have given dollars, bought products and walked for the Cure. My grandmother died when I was 5 years old - 56 years ago. I started getting mammos at age 35 - 26 years ago. My aunt had a mastectomy 22 years ago and she's 90 years old now. I'm the oldest of 4 girls and 3 of us have bc. You betcha that I'll continue to support cancer research! I'm hoping for a cure for my daughter and my granddaughters!
    Char

    I was researching BC brain
    I was researching BC brain metastases on the Internet tonight and came across an article, from what seems to be a legitimate organization (the Cancer Prevention Coalition), stating that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is actually an invention of Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, whose parent company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) "is one of the world's largest manufacturers of petrochemical and chlorinated organic products -- including the plastic ingredient, vinyl chloride -- which has been directly linked to breast cancer, and the pesticide Acetochlor." They further claim that it was conceived as essentially a PR campaign to focus attention on heredity, hormones, and diet as the causes of cancer, rather than toxins in the environment and in products women use everyday (which are produced by the chemical industry). Maybe someone else will know more about this--I'm certainly not promoting anything, just putting it out there because it got my attention, and I know my mother, who is now stage IV, has long suspected products we use (soap, shampoo, makeup, etc.) which have a litany of unreognizable chemicals may be absorbed through the skin and cause cancer.

    http://www.preventcancer.com/patients/mammography/awareness.htm
  • John_32
    John_32 Member Posts: 71
    #17
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    John_32 said:

    I was researching BC brain
    I was researching BC brain metastases on the Internet tonight and came across an article, from what seems to be a legitimate organization (the Cancer Prevention Coalition), stating that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is actually an invention of Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, whose parent company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) "is one of the world's largest manufacturers of petrochemical and chlorinated organic products -- including the plastic ingredient, vinyl chloride -- which has been directly linked to breast cancer, and the pesticide Acetochlor." They further claim that it was conceived as essentially a PR campaign to focus attention on heredity, hormones, and diet as the causes of cancer, rather than toxins in the environment and in products women use everyday (which are produced by the chemical industry). Maybe someone else will know more about this--I'm certainly not promoting anything, just putting it out there because it got my attention, and I know my mother, who is now stage IV, has long suspected products we use (soap, shampoo, makeup, etc.) which have a litany of unreognizable chemicals may be absorbed through the skin and cause cancer.

    http://www.preventcancer.com/patients/mammography/awareness.htm

    I am really getting drawn
    I am really getting drawn into this subject now. Very interesting. Below is another extensive article on the subject, including information about ACS-"the world's most profitable non-profit" (net assets in 2008 over $1.5 billion).


    http://searchwarp.com/swa551421-Breast-Cancer-Deception-Month-Hiding-The-Truth-Beneath-A-Sea-Of-Pink.htm
  • carriesoup
    carriesoup Member Posts: 144
    #18
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    i feel torn on this topic. i
    i feel torn on this topic. i know it's a great cause (obviously! lol) but, it's really annoying to walk down the dairy isle at the grocery store and every cup of yogurt is pink, with a ribbon. i know that sounds bad. can't i just grocery shop with out being reminded i have breast cancer?!? :)
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #19
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    carriesoup said:

    i feel torn on this topic. i
    i feel torn on this topic. i know it's a great cause (obviously! lol) but, it's really annoying to walk down the dairy isle at the grocery store and every cup of yogurt is pink, with a ribbon. i know that sounds bad. can't i just grocery shop with out being reminded i have breast cancer?!? :)

    last year while going thru chemo therapy - I was excited, then
    bored and finally tired. Just the memory and to be reminded of my struggle and fight everday, was overwhelming to say the very least. Then came Nov, Dec and I became angry .. what happened to all the commericals - advertisements - etc. So in my case, I purchased a 5 x 8 - white flag with a very large asssss pink ribbon and it flies in front of my house 365 days a weeks .. expect for Saturdays when you may find an Oregon Duck or Gator flag in front of my home. Also, I sport 'I fight like a girl, breast cancer survivor' plates on both our cars. My husband - grumbles at times - but I've promised to replace his license plate with someone like - sole mate of breast cancer fighter and survivor.

    It's my humble way of letting the world know that I have BC, and BC doesn't have me.

    Susan G. Komen - fact .. every 69 SECONDS a women dieds from breast cancer this ugly - beast. October 19, 2010 .. Yes, 2010, not 1979. Now this makes me MAD, ANGRY and DEPRESSED.

    Strength and Courage all you Warriors,

    Vicki Sam
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #20
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    VickiSam said:

    last year while going thru chemo therapy - I was excited, then
    bored and finally tired. Just the memory and to be reminded of my struggle and fight everday, was overwhelming to say the very least. Then came Nov, Dec and I became angry .. what happened to all the commericals - advertisements - etc. So in my case, I purchased a 5 x 8 - white flag with a very large asssss pink ribbon and it flies in front of my house 365 days a weeks .. expect for Saturdays when you may find an Oregon Duck or Gator flag in front of my home. Also, I sport 'I fight like a girl, breast cancer survivor' plates on both our cars. My husband - grumbles at times - but I've promised to replace his license plate with someone like - sole mate of breast cancer fighter and survivor.

    It's my humble way of letting the world know that I have BC, and BC doesn't have me.

    Susan G. Komen - fact .. every 69 SECONDS a women dieds from breast cancer this ugly - beast. October 19, 2010 .. Yes, 2010, not 1979. Now this makes me MAD, ANGRY and DEPRESSED.

    Strength and Courage all you Warriors,

    Vicki Sam

    I'm with you, Vicki Sam!!!!
    Right after tx, I was excited, then overwhelmed, then irritated by all the 'hoo-haw', especially since it far exceeded my other cancer's (colorectal) awareness...

    But then, I thought...if it can save even one more life by putting the idea for a mammogram out there, then it was worth it!!!

    BIG hugs!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Scotch Freckles
    Scotch Freckles Member Posts: 273 Member
    #21
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    To Pink
    I have mixed feelings about how commercialized this pink thing has gotten. Where does all the money really go? If so much money is collected why isn't there really good financial help for those who do not have insurance or money growing on trees. Why should any cancer victim have to beg for help? Did anyone see yesterdays football game where the players on one team had pink mouth guards, pink gloves, pink shoes? Do these guys really care? And to top it off, every store you check out at the question of the days is "Would you like to donate to Breast Cancer Month?" My answer is "I donate all year long because I have been there." Am I being too sarcastic?

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