Can You Finish This Sentence?
October 1st is upon us and you reading this know what is coming in the weeks ahead.
Pinktober bedecked in candy pink ribbons and hoopla.
Each year this community of writers and readers expresses frustration at how the real message of breast cancer cannot be heard amid a sea of pink.
So today I am asking you to raise your voice above the pinkwashing of this month.
What one true thing do you want people to know about this disease that isn’t sugarcoated in pink?
Can you finish this sentence?
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want you to know ….
Your answers, with your permission, will be compiled in a post that will be published on the Patient Empowerment Network blog.
So let me be the first to start the ball rolling here.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month I want you to know that breast cancer isn’t the “good” kind of cancer. There is no such thing as a good cancer. Cancer, whatever its form, exacts a huge toll on our bodies, our minds, our emotions, and how we will live out the rest of our days.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month I want you to know that breast cancer is different for each person. Some of us don’t “get over it” – it is an ongoing thing in our lives.
LikeLike
Breast Cancer is not only about pink ribbons and ra ra it should not only be about. Pink October but all the time.. Each breast cancer patients journey is unique. Early detection and awareness are key to saving lives. The right support and ongoing research is vital in all the phases of the breast cancer journey.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Nicole for taking the time to share your thoughts on this topic.
LikeLike
Breast cancer month coincides with palliative care month of October.
So its about being cognisant that women and men are at risk of breast cancer. This is the month to not be fearful but take charge and go to your nearest health post be it community health centre, GP or specialist for a clinical breast examination. Those with metastatic breast cancer must also take responsibility and go for their checks. We demand more access to services for those living with metastatic breast cancer.We demand affordable treatment and access to trustuzamab for patients diagnosed with HER2 Positive breast cancer in all provinces of South Africa.
LikeLike
Hi Colleen, thank you so much for your comment
LikeLike
…that the chemotherapy and oral dugs do a number on you and your body. Sometimes I feel like the treatments are killing me so I can die slower.
LikeLike
Oh Andrea, I am so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time at the moment.
LikeLike
Hi Linda – thank you so much for your comment. So very true!
LikeLike
Hi Marie,
“The truth, or at least my truth, is this: Breast cancer is a string of losses. It’s not pink. It’s not pretty. It’s not party-like. It’s a horrible disease, something to endure, not an enlightenment program. No need to smile your way through it. Be real. Be you. It’s enough.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Nancy for this comment which gets right to the heart of things
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a shame that BCAM has become so commercialized. Pink products are being sold by many scamming companies masquerading as helping breast cancer. Buyer beware before purchasing these products. The truth is this disease is killing over 40,000 metastatic women and 400 men each year in the US alone. Early and late stage patients are forever daunted by their costly treatments that cause unimaginable side effects. There are too many deaths of friends and family & there’s nothing pretty about losing loved ones to this terrible disease. We must do more especially for stage IV.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Susan for your wonderful comment. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
I will not win or lose and this is not a battle. Suggesting I “lost” the fight when breast cancer kills me makes it seem like I didn’t “fight” hard enough. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a person.
LikeLike
So true Ilene – the language around cancer needs to change
LikeLike