Pinktober is Over

This relevant and thoughtful blog post written by Alexis, a BC survivor, really got my wheels turning at the beginning of October. I had in mind doing some sort of blog post about October being breast cancer awareness month, but wasn't sure how to go about it until I read and digested her post. Awareness can be a double-edged sword.

Metastatic breast cancer
awareness ribbon

I'm sure many readers were aware all of last month was dedicated to breast cancer awareness. How many of you also know that Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day was October 13? Do you know what that ribbon looks like? Check it out----->

FYI: metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis): The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ). source

Visibility and acceptance of metastatic breast cancer patients is important; they want new treatments that are less toxic and help them live longer. During Pinktober, I can easily see how some of the metastatic breast cancer population feels like the collective "we" have given up on them. After all, what does Pinktober's fundraising really give in the way of support to that subset of breast cancer patients?

Did you know that another type of cancer awareness is also in October? No? (It's liver cancer by the way.) WHY WOULD YOU?!! Everything's gone up in PINK! On Wikipedia, I found a list of ribbon colors and what their awareness meanings are; my head is spinning!

So Pinktober is over...and I'm relieved. It's as though the entire month of October has pinkwashed the world over. And, while it is and has been a fantastic cause (pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness), I believe the message has been received and time, energy, and money could now be arguably better spent on a CURE. Early detection is all good and fine, but it does not equal a cure.

The tip of the rose-colored iceburg:
some pink items, emails, and ridiculousness I ran across in October 2012.
~click to enlarge, some are bound to grip your attention~

I'm appalled at some of the claims of "raising funds for breast cancer research" that some companies use to sell their products. But the most repulsive sales pitch I came across this year was this:

Who thought that was a good idea? Perhaps more importantly...did this sleazy sales schtick actually work? How is it that women will be exploited so that a penny will go for research for every 30 videos men watch? How the heck is this "the most genius initiative to raise money for an important cause"? This is beyond my understanding and tolerance, and is wrong on so many levels.

Even batteries at Home Depot fall prey to the almighty pink.
Thanks, dad, for sending this my way.

Think Before You Pink, a project of Breast Cancer Action, calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions. Breast Cancer Action is the only national breast cancer organization that does not accept funding from entities that profit from or contribute to cancer, including the pharmaceutical industry.

I encourage you to visit the above links and learn how to become informed about how to make better purchasing decisions by discovering:

• how much money from your purchase goes to support breast cancer programs
• what organization gets the money and how they will use the funds
• if there is a cap on the amount the company will donate
• if this purchase puts you or someone else at risk for exposure to toxins related to breast cancer (or anything else, really!)

That last bullet is a zinger, and you'd be surprised. Then again, maybe not.

What are your thoughts?