I've taken on the Pink Ribbon

[NewHampster]

Even with the Sox going to the ALCS, I feel it's more important to make y'all aware of the scourge of Breast Cancer.




Besides. I can bring back the Sox logo for the World Series.

[petersjo02]

1. Heart disease vs. breast cancer deaths in American women:

1. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women.
2. Every year, an estimated 485,000 American women die of cardiovascular disease (heart disease AND stroke), more than twice the number who die of ALL forms of cancer COMBINED.
3. An estimated 240,000 women die annually of heart disease, FIVE TIMES the number who die of breast cancer.

Statistics from The American Heart Association and The Woman's Heart Book by Fredric J. Pashkow, M.D. and Charlotte Libov.

I'm a 65-year-old woman. First heart attack at age 51, the second at age 54. An angioplasty with stent surgery after the 2nd HA resulted in rupture of my femoral artery which was misdiagnosed until I nearly bled to death. Spinal stenosis in cervical spine treated with decompression laminectomy C3-C7 in 1995 and in lumbar spine--still recovering from laminectomy and fusion L3-L5 Aug 27.
Gallbladder removed 1998 due to gallstones. Diverticulosis with trvurring diverticulisis.
Right kidney removed at age 28 due to malformation and infection by incurable abscesses. Rremaining kidney now failing (diagnosed last April)--incurable.

No breast cancer ever--or any other cancer in me or my family, but plenty of cardiovascular disease (see stats listed above)--so pink ribbons don't do much for me. Wouldn't wish breast cancer on anyone, but it is way overpublicized given the actual risk of death from that type of cancer to American women compared to cardiovascular disease. More "sexy," I guess, or maybe women just fear being disfigured more than they fear actually dying of a disease 5 times more likely to kill them in any given year.

Following each of my heart attacks, no one sponsored any walks for me or sold colored ribbons. The local "support" group for heart disease patients met once a month for lunch, strictly social in nature. I looked far and wide for some sort of support to help me through the process of getting better and of dealing with ignorant people at work who, just because I didn't lose my hair or have any other outward signs of illness ("Gee, you look great!"), refused my request to have a parking place near the back door for a couple months until spring came and I didn't have to face cold north winds anymore (even though my doctor had ordered that I not walk in temps under 40 degrees for six months). I just went back to work and managed the best I could.

So I cringe when I see pink ribbons. The scourge as far as women's health is concerned is cardiovascular disease.

[NewHampster]

2. Sorry but it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. Why does one illness deserve observation over another? n/t

[petersjo02]

7. And...

October is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Rett syndrome Awareness Month
October is Lupus Awareness Month
October Is Liver Awareness Month
October is National Disability Awareness Month
Celebrate October as Celiac Disease Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Well, you get the idea. Was it hard for you to pick?

[Berry Cool]

3. Me too. Is there ANYONE not yet "aware" of breast cancer?

I'm sick of being pink-ribboned to death every October by an attempt to tell us that all we have to do is shop for pink stuff and we will "cure" a horrible disease.

Oh, and breast cancer is NOT sexy. It should not be made to appear so...yet the annual peddling of high-fashion clothes awash in pink and pink ribbons makes it appear to be haute couture. It isn't.

I wonder how much merchandise could be moved in the name of curing colon cancer. Not much, I imagine. Know what the "ribbon color" for colon cancer is? Brown. Lovely. Good thinking, guys.

[petersjo02]

4. Thanks for your concurrence. I sincerely appreciate it.

I wasn't sure how my post would be received, so it is nice to have your support as I'm climbing down off my pedestal. It's all in the marketing and the celebrities who lend their names to said marketing efforts. More glamorous spokespersons for BC. Thanks. ;-)

[Contrary1]

25. Delete...posted in error.

[question everything]

24. Some of us changed our avatar

in honor of Stacey

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=6992761

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=6991801

[Contrary1]

26. Thank you.

:pals:

I have always figured it would be a crap shoot as to whether I would die from heart disease or cancer (lung, colon, skin, brain, stomach, thyroid), given my family history.

Guess what? I got to be the very first on either side of my family to be diagnosed with breast cancer, a possibility I had never even considered. Go figure.

Anyway, I don't necessarily support the Susan Komen Org. for reasons I won't go into. However, if pink ribbons involving everything from sweatshirts to Campbell's Soup labels to M&Ms candy saves one single life due to education, that's fine by me.

[Der Blaue Engel]

5. Thank you for this post. I'm frankly appalled at the responses so far.

Disease jealousy? Are you kidding me? I'm speechless. :(

[petersjo02]

12. And I'm appalled that you're appalled

With all the other diseases that October is the "awareness" month for, just how did the OP make the decision to honor ONLY breast cancer and avoid the other diseases? Just wondering about the thought process, that's all.

Heart disease kills five times as many women in any one year as breast cancer, but I'd be willing to bet a granola bar that breast cancer gets five times the publicity. No disease jealousy here; I've just about had 'em all. Just wonder why the publicity and fund raising efforts for BC are far and away greater than that for any other October disease. Maybe your mom had it? sis had it? daughter had it? somebody at work had it? Same can be said for each and every one of the other diseases being highlighted in October--or any other month, for that matter.

Perhaps you're disease jealous. First mention I've ever heard of that term. If so, which one of mine would you be willing to take off my hands? I'll ship the disease of your choice on over and you can deal with it for a while. How about the kidney failure? You won't have to deal with it for long.

Disease jealous? I'm publicity jealous. What do the rest of the October disease sufferers have to do to get even on tiny bit of the recognition for their respective diseases as BC does? You're appalled? Too gosh darn bad about that.

[Der Blaue Engel]

13. Yep, still appalled

And I'm sorry you're such an angry person.

I hope you find some peace.

[petersjo02]

16. I'll be at peace

as soon as you sign up to be my kidney donor. How 'bout that for a deal?

[fizzgig]

8. thank you for this

i am dismayed by some of the responses here, but i honestly appreciate this

:yourock:

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SeattleGirl]

10. Thank you. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I appreciate

you changing your avatar for this month, and for pointing out to people the importance of fighting this disease.

And to the folks who are fussing about this thread, lighten up, okay? There ARE other diseases, yes, some that DO kill more women than breast cancer, but this IS Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I financially support breast cancer research, prostate cancer research, leukemia research, and juvenile diabetes research.

[emilyg]

14. I'm a breast cancer survivor. Thank you for your post.

[petersjo02]

15. But also:

October is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Rett syndrome Awareness Month
October is Lupus Awareness Month
October Is Liver Awareness Month
October is National Disability Awareness Month
Celebrate October as Celiac Disease Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Just explain to me why, when October is the awareness month for all the other diseases listed above, in addition to breast cancer, breast cancer is THE disease to support. Why is it appalling that some dare ask why this particular disease gets a hugely disproportionate share of the publicity to the virtual exclusion of the others? You can be appalled and shocked and all that stuff, but no one has yet to provide an explanation for the disparity. Certainly sufferers of Tett Syndrome might wonder why. I just dared ask the question.

[SeattleGirl]

19. Not my fault. The other advocates need to get the word out.

Sorry if you are offended.

For me, breast cancer hits closest to home. Not saying the other diseases don't matter, but breast cancer matters more to me, personally.

That's all.

[petersjo02]

22. I'm curious as to why?

Relatives/friends with it? A vanity thing? We can see our breasts--can't see our lungs, heart, bowel, kidneys, etc. Something in the marketing campaign that attracted your attention? I'm just wondering why heart disease wouldn't matter more to you--or at least as much--given that you're five times as likely to die from it. I suspect heart disease seems remote to you, but that's just a guess.

[Contrary1]

27. I understand why you are upset...

I believe that Breast Cancer is the "disease of the month" more due to clever marketing than anything else. If someone would take up the causes you mentioned with equal fervor, it would be a good thing.

Your post mentioned October as also being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

We lost twin granddaughters two years ago, and I can tell you from experience that it was the most traumatic experience in my life, including my cancer.

I wish there was money for all health-related research, not just for Americans; but for all of mankind. I wish our government put more value on saving lives than waging war. I wish you good health, and a long happy life.

I wish...

[petersjo02]

30. See the post below about main sponsor of BC awareness month

It isn't that the people involved in these other causes are doing something wrong (or not working hard enough) and that BC people are just great at marketing. It's the fact of where the funding for that marketing comes from, namely the big pharma company that makes lots of money on both ends: from selling pesticides that likely play a role in causing breat cancer and from selling drugs to treat it. It's a win-win situation for Astrazenica: they can put endless amounts of money into marketing BC awareness month because they're making endless amounts of money from the disease itself. Unless and until big pharma no longer has a profit motive, they won't put money into making the other tragic diseases the flavor of some particular month. AZ does't support or do research on prevention. I'm so sorry about your dear grandbabies. I can only imagine how devastating their loss was and how painful it still must be for you all. I'm sitting here in tears at the thought of losing those two dear little ones. And thanks for your wishes for a long life. I'm struggling with my own loss, as you can imagine.

[Skittles]

11. had a breast cancer scare last month

they had to redo the mammgram several times (12 pics altogether - ouch), then I actually saw one with the dreaded circle :o. As I waited for a LONG time while each new one was examined by the doctor I found that I am not one of those people that goes WHY ME because I know just how often breast cancer is diagnosed - WAY too often, and that my main concern, instead of being my health was my INSURANCE which will change at the end of this year. In the end they did a sonogram, pronounced me fine and said that since they had switched to digital film it was almost like getting a base-line (had to get lots of pics on THAT one too). :o

[KT2000]

17. We need to get smarter

the huge campaigns that collect a lot of money for breast cancer do not support prevention. They do not support research that looks for environmental causes of breast cancer.

We all need to become more aware that sickness in the US contributes to the GNP and the profits of corporations. We need to insist upon prevention.

Part of Asrazeneca makes pesticides that have been implicated in causing breast cancer. They are major sponsors of the pink ribbon campaign. The pharmaceutical part of the company makes cancer drugs. The following is from Wikipedia:

"AstraZeneca is the major sponsor for Breast Cancer Awareness Month which focuses on "early detection and treatment"<5> but does little to address prevention. AstraZeneca is also a leading producer of breast cancer treatment drugs like Tamoxifen and Arimidex"

[petersjo02]

23. Bingo

You've nailed it on the head.

[petersjo02]

18. October is IRS Awareness month!

[KamaAina]

31. For those of you just joining us, Rett Syndrome is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

that is only known to affect girls. PDD is the same class of conditions that includes autism and Asperger syndrome, but Rett's acts more like a progressive neuromuscular condition such as MD. It is not a nice thing to have, or to have a family member have.

Actually, I was not aware that Oct. even was Breast Cancer Awareness Month; the pink ribbon at left is for Stacey (see #24 above).

edit: spelling

[flamingyouth]

20. My grandmother died of breast cancer in 1981 after a 7-year fight.

Back then people didn't talk much about it. In fact, she had the lump for a long time before going to the doctor. Awareness, education and early detection are key in fighting breast and all kinds of cancers.

While I have your attention (hopefully), I want to tell you about bladder cancer, which is increasing among women and men. It is currently the most expensive cancer to treat per patient (www.bcan.org). I was diagnosed last fall and have since had two surgeries and one chemotherapy treatment. Women are most often misdiagnosed because blood in the urine is the main symptom. It's also not very common in younger women. Gilda's Club didn't even have a brochure about it when I went there after my diagnosis. I felt really isolated and got most of my info and support online.

So, please, if you are told that you just have a bladder infection that won't get better, follow up with your doctor.

More info:

http://blcwebcafe.org/womenandbladdercancer.asp

[petersjo02]

21. How awful for you

You're right. Not talked about much, especially in women. My best wishes as you work through treatment. I don't know for sure, but I suspect this cancer might be quite painful. Painful or not, you will be in my thoughts.

[DeepModem Mom]

28. K&R -- Thank you, New Hampster.

[lonestarnot]

29. got one of those over the weekend. Thanks.