Pink Month Feelings

Lavender babe said:

Sad exploitation of Breast Cancer

Definitely agree with all you have said.  I find it beyond reprehensible that people have created this farce to benefit from the suffering of women everywhere.

Pink is a great color until you associate it with breast cancer.

Sad that people are such sheep to follow such ridiculous hyperbole.

A cancer diagnosis leaves most people subject to a wide arena of con artists, trying to sell you a miracle cure, this is almost worse because it is trying to sell you hope in a lie.  May God have mercy on their souls.

Last October, I researched and presented a talk on "Surviving October" at my church, for a Sunday service we held honoring all cancer survivors.

I include a bit of the history of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- but most meaningful for me was talking with some members of the Colorectal Cancer board here on CSN, and including their thoughts on all the attention breast cancer gets, their frustration that breast cancer has become the "sexy cancer."  I agree with what Suzanne and desertgirl have said here about awareness months for other forms that cancer that go unnoticed, and grueling treatments that many who have other forms of cancer have to endure.

My "Surviving October" talk is posted on my Expressions page, 3rd post from the top.  I'm still very proud of it.

Traci

I think your comments were dead on especially the "Aunt Mildred" thing.  I have thought several times about writing a book on how to talk cancer patients. I too was diagnosed in October and I can remember looking around thinking these people have no idea. My boss even offered to take the stuff down the company had up.  Everyone needs to know the reason behind the ribbon. I think sometimes people think its pretty and they are doing a good thing but they need to be sure the reason they buy it is real.

SIROD said:

Traci

I said it last year and I will say it this year.  Would you consider putting your essay of "Surviving October" on the discussion board?  It is excellent.  Some may go to your Expressions page, some may not.  All should read it.

Doris

Doris, I remember how supportive you were when I gave my talk last year, and so appreciate your praise.  I do think it's too long to post directly on this board, which is why I posted it on my Expressions page instead.

If anyone would like to read it, just click on TraciInLA right

<--- here, then on the Expressions tab.

But maybe I should update my talk?  This morning, at the grocery store, there was a big display of breast cancer awareness kettle corn.  Yes, big bags of Angie's Kettle Corn all decked out in pink -- they do state that they will donate 5 cents per bag to the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Genome Guided Therapy Study, so I appreciate they they're specific about how much they're donating and to where.  

Geez, WHERE was breast cancer awareness kettle corn last year?  I could have passed it around to the congregation and let them crunch away while I talked!

 Traci

camul said:

I dont like it, yet,

I do understand it is bcuz more die from bc than other forms of cancer. However, It uas gotten where I feel exploited with so many profiting from this horrid disease. Aso, billboards stating that early diagnosis gives 99% cure rate! This gives people the message that people dont die of bc. I personally know that isnt right, I am one of the 30% with stage iv who will not make it. Which brings me to my biggest gripe, that more money is raised for bc, yet under 5% (last year went up, which I helieve that not more money was given to adv research but that way less money was taken in, thus, the raise in percentage points) is used for adv research to actually find a cure. So as my time is looming closer, being one of the 30%, and having tumors that did not respond well to chemo , I have a very hard time seeing people profiting financially from this horrid disease, and seeing that all this awareness hype is giving people the impression that bc is one of the "good cancers" to get if you are going to get cancer.
Thanks s CC,
Carol

Carol,

Before I was diagnose with breast cancer, I thought they were close to a cure.  My friend had ovarian cancer and I was so grateful that mine was breast cancer with so many raising money for that cure.  It didn't take me long to learn the truth.  I worked in a library where I did have all kinds of articles, books and anything I needed at my finger tips to endlessly research this topic before the internet and before I purchase my first computer.

In an article I just read, The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was launched in 1985.  It asked the questions:

Have survival rates improved? Are treatments less toxic? Are fewer people diagnosed? The answer is "no" to each of these success factors.  

I believe that early detection doesn't really mean much, all that pinking that we will see in October only means that people are profiting on a cruel disease.  It has always made me angry, so in October anything with a pink ribbon I don't buy.  

Best to you,

Doris

SIROD said:

For Carol

Carol,

Before I was diagnose with breast cancer, I thought they were close to a cure.  My friend had ovarian cancer and I was so grateful that mine was breast cancer with so many raising money for that cure.  It didn't take me long to learn the truth.  I worked in a library where I did have all kinds of articles, books and anything I needed at my finger tips to endlessly research this topic before the internet and before I purchase my first computer.

In an article I just read, The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was launched in 1985.  It asked the questions:

Have survival rates improved? Are treatments less toxic? Are fewer people diagnosed? The answer is "no" to each of these success factors.  

I believe that early detection doesn't really mean much, all that pinking that we will see in October only means that people are profiting on a cruel disease.  It has always made me angry, so in October anything with a pink ribbon I don't buy.  

Best to you,

Doris

 

I'm a 4 year survivor. It was non invasive and Stage 0.Still I don't feel comfortable.I have the cancer gene and even though it is early stage doesn't make me feel any better and probably any others who are once told"You have breast cancer". In the beginning I went out and brought ribbons, bracelets shirts and necklaces.Now I prefer none of that.I went into the store the other day and so much Pink.A few years ago I was in awe about it all but not now. 

Since dx I get so much from people. if I mention I lost  a few lbs 2 times a friend had to ask me "is Your cancer back".One time it hurt the next time I was ticked and really don't feel like talking to her.She hasn't seen me but when we talk it's about "is your cancer back".If and when it ever does come back I don't think I'd tell her. So I guess the cancer thing is dwindling down for me. I get so hurt and upset hearing what so many are going through and some are fighting a fierce battle.Then we have those who lose the battle and it hurts. I know that it could be me someday, another Pink Sister or a family member or friend.  

Breast Cancer does get alot more recognition than any of the other cancers.There's so many of us who've been dx with it. I support it but the Pink thing(wearing it) I'm giving up.Although I will ride the Pink Bus to support those who are going for tests appts or procedures. The Pink Bus is important. 

Honeslty there are times I wish I hadn't told many people I did tell. I prefer to be more private. If it ever comes back I will be more discreet.  

Lynn Smith

24242 said:

I am sick of the CURE thing

I guess I am to much of a realist to find comfort in the CURE.  I am starting to get mad that all we have heard about is the successful cure rates and have almost closeted the fact that cancer rates rapidly rising especially since my own diagnosis and treatment for this disease. 

I almost fell over when I heard that 2 in 5 or 1 in 3 people in my country will be diagnosed with cancer.  Yet we are not talking about that or the strain it is having on our health system.  Now more and more people get paid less and have less benefits to help offset health care costs because unlike what people think it costs us all to have a good system in place nothing is free.

When I was diagnosed they had delisted allot of medication that was covered before and the price of my care went up drastically having to now pay for expensive medications that were needed in my treatment phases.  I am mad that densification of our cities seems to be having a direct result on cancer rates though no one wants to talk about it Tax dollars more important cities and provinces/states than ever before and less middle income earners to pay for.

I am mad that we ship things across our seas that we don't allow in our own countries and let other countries contaminate the world and no one cares it seems including my own government here in Canada.  If you listen to my leader Canada is the greatest place to live though we can barely afford our homes and lives working harder and longer than we ever have leading to the stress we are suppose to avoid.  Doesn't this sound all too familiar...  Just reading about this scares the hell out of me and big corporate America can only dream of ways to make money off of the diseases that exist.  Caring too much about humanity comes with a price and often it is our own health...

Tara

C.C. and Danny... keep on going..!!  OK, so I almost bought a Kidney Cancer T Shirt, but noticed no where on those WEB sites were any proceeds going to help fight Cancer...  I am not rich, and am fighting my own battle.. but I have donated multiple times to what I hope goes towards reasearch etc  (BC and Prostate).   Hopefully research for any one type of Cancer could somehow help all of us..  But I must say I get so many phone calls and plea for $$$ no way can I donate to them all...  I also agree that too many people focus in on the organ(s) that have the Cancer and not on the rest of the person trying to live and go forward..  I chalk that up to ignorance...  same with those that offer miracle cures, etc.

Keep fighting all..!  Be Well All..!!

Ron

sandra4611 said:

Today I was at a craft bazaar

Today I was at a craft bazaar where several people were selling "pink ribbon" merchandise. One table was manned by a young couple representing their son's sports team. They were selling water bottles and had a sign saying purchaes would help the team fight breast cancer. I had to ask how. They were shocked and said no one had ever asked them that before. They were proud to say they donated 20% to Susan G Komen. I asked if that 20% was after they deducted the cost of the water bottles, supplies to decorate them, and the booth rental fee. They admitted that it was after, and that it would end up being a token amount, maybe $10 or $20. I asked if they knew what Komen would do with their little check and they said they didn't know but they were sure it would help fight breast cancer. (sigh) 

 

Educating Neanderthals..  Yes, I do thank all of you for giving me an education and perspective.  I was amazed to see a BC thread on a mostly male motorcycle forum I read.  I suspect not many of you watch pro football... but they are doing their "pink" schtick.. (so where is the money..??).  I took the time to try and educate the guys, based on your comments..  Sometimes we "guys" need a good smack on the head to gain understanding...

FYI, I have now spent two different days in the Infusion ward... I saw lots of women fighting without even a whimper.. hope the drugs helps them and gives them lots of time on their clocks..!!

Bless you all... you DO count..!  Oh and thanks for the education..

Ron

CypressCynthia said:

Ron, you are most certainly

Ron, you are most certainly not in the Neanderthal group.  And, BTW, I have personally experienced as many women being insensitive as men!

My feelings are just my feelings and I am going through a rough patch having experienced bone, lung and liver metastases, so I may be grumpy.  I am so very grateful for the true support and glad there is a pink month.  Thank you so much for your comments and your caring.

Ah CC with what you are going through... geesh.. only grumpy..?  Yes men do not have the market cornered on insensitivity..  But what you likely do not know about me.. is that I strongly believe that one must be able to poke fun at themself in order to poke fun at anyone else.. And trust me there are a few women over on the Kidney board that take great delight in poking fun...   

Oh yes, thanks for the kind words... Now get your stamina in line and keep up the good fight..!  Feel free to give me crap at any time..  We all need an extra ear every now and then...

Lastly, if you look at the one picture of my race bike I posted, you would see that there is this pink helmet decal on the fairing..  I was amazed at the Cancer (not just BC) awareness of the people on this tiny island..  I got Kudos for not wearing a Cancer T Shirt over there... all the folks that know me (and a bunch that don't) know...  and I was amazed at how many people wished me well with no drawn out questions..  On a small island the "word" spreads quickly..  And yes they even had a Relay for Life there..

Be Well All..!!  Keep up the good fight... and remember.. I am demented.. I would not tickle you with a feather.. I would use the whole chicken..!

Ron