Anal Cancer Color Survey

mxperry220
mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member

Below are the anal cancer color survery results I received from The HPV and anal Cancer Foundation.

==============================================================

Dear Mike,


We are excited to announce that purple and green won the anal cancer ribbon vote!

It was a close call. The final tallies are:

Purple and Green 46%
Purple and Light Blue 44%
Green and Light Blue 10%

 

Thank you for your participation in this historic event -- and for getting your friends and family to vote! We also want to thank the Farrah Fawcett Foundation for their partnership in this initiative.

Anal cancer patients continue to face an uphill climb towards equitable awareness, support, and funding for new treatments. We hope that these colors will serve as just one way to tell the people around you about anal cancer. Please continue sharing your stories to increase awareness of the disease and early diagnosis.

Thrive On!

Justine Almada
Co-Founder

P.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a forum on the importance of HPV vaccination in February. During the forum they noted the rise of anal cancer and other HPV-related cancers, the safety of the HPV vaccine, and the importance of providers in helping parents and patients to understand the benefits of the HPV vaccine. We are glad the CDC is highlighting the importance of preventing HPV-associated cancers. A video of the forum is accessible here: http://www.cdc.gov/features/grandrounds/.

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Comments

  • NYinTX
    NYinTX Member Posts: 64
    colors

    so how does this impact us?

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    NYinTX said:

    colors

    so how does this impact us?

    NYinTx

    IMO, not one bit.  I am not into the ribbon thing.

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    NYinTX said:

    colors

    so how does this impact us?

    Impact

    I do not know about your question as to how it impacts us.  From my perspective this could bring more of an awareness to us anal cancer survivors as the color pink has for breast cancer survivors.   Personally I do not plan on attaching any ribbons on my vehicle.

    Mike

  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member

    Impact

    I do not know about your question as to how it impacts us.  From my perspective this could bring more of an awareness to us anal cancer survivors as the color pink has for breast cancer survivors.   Personally I do not plan on attaching any ribbons on my vehicle.

    Mike

    perhaps . . .

    on my ****. :)

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    Thanks Mike

    Thanks for the information. While I don't expect to see purple and green ribbons in the stores or anything, I'm kinda glad we have a ribbon. (And I like the color combination.)

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    Angela_K said:

    perhaps . . .

    on my ****. :)

    Hummmmmm...  A rear end

    Hummmmmm...  A rear end tattooed ribbon of purple and green....  Only thing is I'm scared of needles!!

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    Angela_K said:

    perhaps . . .

    on my ****. :)

    Angela..

    Had a cancer ribbon butterfly tribut to ALL cancers tattooed on my foot today....  I don't know how to put up a picture but will try to get helptomorrow.   My kids are in a state of shock!  Mom with a tatoo.....  Lorie

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    Ribbon
    I am thinking that maybe the ribbon can be used to help raise awareness. I think that corporations should be approached for sponsorhip. Products like Preparation H and all toilet paper products should have the ribbon in plain sight on the packaging with an explanation of the symptoms of anal cancer. So many of us used Prep H like products for years before being diagnosed, that I believe they have a corporate responsibility to contribute substantial funds for research and should have clear language on their products alerting users of anal cancer symptoms. I am not sure what organizations exist to raise awareness of anal cancer, but frankly, if there is a strategy, it is not working. So, the ribbon colors are something corporations can use on their packaging to show their commitment to social responsibility. It could be of help in catching this disease earlier.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    Marynb said:

    Ribbon
    I am thinking that maybe the ribbon can be used to help raise awareness. I think that corporations should be approached for sponsorhip. Products like Preparation H and all toilet paper products should have the ribbon in plain sight on the packaging with an explanation of the symptoms of anal cancer. So many of us used Prep H like products for years before being diagnosed, that I believe they have a corporate responsibility to contribute substantial funds for research and should have clear language on their products alerting users of anal cancer symptoms. I am not sure what organizations exist to raise awareness of anal cancer, but frankly, if there is a strategy, it is not working. So, the ribbon colors are something corporations can use on their packaging to show their commitment to social responsibility. It could be of help in catching this disease earlier.

    Ribbons

    What a great idea Mary.  R u in marketing?

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118

    Ribbons

    What a great idea Mary.  R u in marketing?

    Phoebe
    No....not in marketing. I am a lawyer, presently looking for less stressful work.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    Marynb said:

    Ribbon
    I am thinking that maybe the ribbon can be used to help raise awareness. I think that corporations should be approached for sponsorhip. Products like Preparation H and all toilet paper products should have the ribbon in plain sight on the packaging with an explanation of the symptoms of anal cancer. So many of us used Prep H like products for years before being diagnosed, that I believe they have a corporate responsibility to contribute substantial funds for research and should have clear language on their products alerting users of anal cancer symptoms. I am not sure what organizations exist to raise awareness of anal cancer, but frankly, if there is a strategy, it is not working. So, the ribbon colors are something corporations can use on their packaging to show their commitment to social responsibility. It could be of help in catching this disease earlier.

    Marynb

    That would be a good thing to do.To make people aware  of anal cancer.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118

    Marynb

    That would be a good thing to do.To make people aware  of anal cancer.

    Shirlann
    Yes, it would. I would like to see public service announcements on tv, social media, etc.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    Simply Amazing

    It gives me great joy to hear we are finally getting an anal cancer ribbon I for one needed this after the pain I went through I deserved a ribbon

    and I for one was glad and honored to start a petiion for a ribbon after my diagnosis and with the help of HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation and Farrah

    Fawcett Foundation this day has finally come let's show our butts and let them no we are hear this is a good day.

     

  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    Lorikat said:

    Angela..

    Had a cancer ribbon butterfly tribut to ALL cancers tattooed on my foot today....  I don't know how to put up a picture but will try to get helptomorrow.   My kids are in a state of shock!  Mom with a tatoo.....  Lorie

    Yay!

    I got my first tattoo last December with my best Austin friend who is treatment for recurring lymphoma and bone cancer. My tat is on the back of my neck and simply states 'sing.'  My husband has yet to see it and my kids think I've lost my mind.  Jenny got her first tat on her foot and she said it hurt like crazy.  Your tat sounds sooo cool.  Must send me a pic . . .2half@wcc.net.  I'm leaving this Board. Please keep in touch!

     

  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    Marynb said:

    Shirlann
    Yes, it would. I would like to see public service announcements on tv, social media, etc.

    It's already being done . . .

    and done well in the UK.

    Behind Cancer    Behind Cancer Campaign UK

    There is a calendar for sale in the UK.  It seems that they are more active in this effort than in the US. I feel that it has to be a grassroots movement, starting with us, the survivors, who must find our voices and rid ourselves of the shame that so many of us carry.  We have to say it - anal cancer - and acknowledge it and own it. It starts with us.

    We need to become involved with the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation.  From what I know, the Farrah Fawcett Foundation is not focused on anal cancer awareness and prevention.

     

     

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    censation said:

    Simply Amazing

    It gives me great joy to hear we are finally getting an anal cancer ribbon I for one needed this after the pain I went through I deserved a ribbon

    and I for one was glad and honored to start a petiion for a ribbon after my diagnosis and with the help of HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation and Farrah

    Fawcett Foundation this day has finally come let's show our butts and let them no we are hear this is a good day.

     

    general thoughts

    I personally don't care or think about ribbons, colors of ribbons or incorporating ribbons or this experience as a part of my identity any more than I identify as someone who had measels, mumps, chicken pox and all of that.  I had a bad skiiing accident 24 years ago and three knee operations as a result. But I'm not that experience either. I'm just not my experiences. Anal cancer (for me) was a problem that I had to address (just as I'd have to address a flat tire on my car if I got one, only with stakes that were higher). I addressed it and I'm ready to move on, and I do mean move on, which, for me means not identifying as someone who had cancer any more than I identify with any other of my life experiences. That's just my take but I respect others' and know that what "works" for me might not "work" for the next person. Maybe I should be more involved or, I dunno, aware of what I had and what it means...except that I don't think it means anything, except that I had it.  And now I assume that I don't and am ready to move on to the next thing.  That said, I do think that I might try to do some volunteer work at Sloan Kettering. They require that you wait a year post treatment, but while I don't identify as "Hi, I'm so-and-so and I had cancer," it does give me some street cred, and if that's meaningful to a volunteer department or, more importantly, to someone experiencing cancer, then so be it.   

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Angela_K said:

    Yay!

    I got my first tattoo last December with my best Austin friend who is treatment for recurring lymphoma and bone cancer. My tat is on the back of my neck and simply states 'sing.'  My husband has yet to see it and my kids think I've lost my mind.  Jenny got her first tat on her foot and she said it hurt like crazy.  Your tat sounds sooo cool.  Must send me a pic . . .2half@wcc.net.  I'm leaving this Board. Please keep in touch!

     

    Angela

    I'm sorry to hear that you are leaving us here!  Please keep in touch with me--you know where to find me!

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    LaCh said:

    general thoughts

    I personally don't care or think about ribbons, colors of ribbons or incorporating ribbons or this experience as a part of my identity any more than I identify as someone who had measels, mumps, chicken pox and all of that.  I had a bad skiiing accident 24 years ago and three knee operations as a result. But I'm not that experience either. I'm just not my experiences. Anal cancer (for me) was a problem that I had to address (just as I'd have to address a flat tire on my car if I got one, only with stakes that were higher). I addressed it and I'm ready to move on, and I do mean move on, which, for me means not identifying as someone who had cancer any more than I identify with any other of my life experiences. That's just my take but I respect others' and know that what "works" for me might not "work" for the next person. Maybe I should be more involved or, I dunno, aware of what I had and what it means...except that I don't think it means anything, except that I had it.  And now I assume that I don't and am ready to move on to the next thing.  That said, I do think that I might try to do some volunteer work at Sloan Kettering. They require that you wait a year post treatment, but while I don't identify as "Hi, I'm so-and-so and I had cancer," it does give me some street cred, and if that's meaningful to a volunteer department or, more importantly, to someone experiencing cancer, then so be it.   

    Ribbons

    Had you had anal cancer a few years ago you might have a little different attitude.   The ribbon thing is about awareness which can promote more attention/money directed toward research to one day have a cure for this disease. Your incident of a skiing accident 24 years ago cannot even begin to compare to this awful cancer. 

    Mike 

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    LaCh said:

    general thoughts

    I personally don't care or think about ribbons, colors of ribbons or incorporating ribbons or this experience as a part of my identity any more than I identify as someone who had measels, mumps, chicken pox and all of that.  I had a bad skiiing accident 24 years ago and three knee operations as a result. But I'm not that experience either. I'm just not my experiences. Anal cancer (for me) was a problem that I had to address (just as I'd have to address a flat tire on my car if I got one, only with stakes that were higher). I addressed it and I'm ready to move on, and I do mean move on, which, for me means not identifying as someone who had cancer any more than I identify with any other of my life experiences. That's just my take but I respect others' and know that what "works" for me might not "work" for the next person. Maybe I should be more involved or, I dunno, aware of what I had and what it means...except that I don't think it means anything, except that I had it.  And now I assume that I don't and am ready to move on to the next thing.  That said, I do think that I might try to do some volunteer work at Sloan Kettering. They require that you wait a year post treatment, but while I don't identify as "Hi, I'm so-and-so and I had cancer," it does give me some street cred, and if that's meaningful to a volunteer department or, more importantly, to someone experiencing cancer, then so be it.   

    LaCh
    I understand what you are saying, but there is a big difference between cancer and broken bones, or car accidents. Once you have had cancer, you never really know if it is gone. There is a high success rate for anal cancer, but as you have said many times, the treatments now available are rather rudimentary and with more research a better cure is surely in the future. Research requires money from private sources. In order to raise money, corporatons like to have a visible symbol to show their financial commitment. It is just the way it is. A color helps with this.

    I have a cancer that is so rare that they use a zebra as their symbol. This symbolizes the fact that this cancer is often diagnosed too late because the symptoms are often mistaken for more common illnesses. When doctors hear hoofbeats they think horses, not zebras. This is why raising awareness is so important. I have had two cancers. I don't live to fight cancer, I fight cancer to live! We are not our cancers! Cancer may take my life....but not a day before I die!
  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    Marynb said:

    LaCh
    I understand what you are saying, but there is a big difference between cancer and broken bones, or car accidents. Once you have had cancer, you never really know if it is gone. There is a high success rate for anal cancer, but as you have said many times, the treatments now available are rather rudimentary and with more research a better cure is surely in the future. Research requires money from private sources. In order to raise money, corporatons like to have a visible symbol to show their financial commitment. It is just the way it is. A color helps with this.

    I have a cancer that is so rare that they use a zebra as their symbol. This symbolizes the fact that this cancer is often diagnosed too late because the symptoms are often mistaken for more common illnesses. When doctors hear hoofbeats they think horses, not zebras. This is why raising awareness is so important. I have had two cancers. I don't live to fight cancer, I fight cancer to live! We are not our cancers! Cancer may take my life....but not a day before I die!

    marynm mxperry

    My point was that I don't identify with my injuries or diseases.