Hi, Nancy. My daughter was diagnosed at age 35 with an aggressive form of breast cancer. No family history, no inherited gene mutation, nothing. She’s reached four years now, but has never received any kind of benefit from a pink-ribbon campaign. I’m right with you on this: it’s not about the boobies. My daughter is not a boobie. No one is. Thank you for this terrific article.🙏
I'm so sorry your daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. I didn't know that. What a horrendous experience for her and for you, too. Gosh, you've been through so much. I'm so glad to hear she is doing well. Please give her my best.
Statistics tell us more younger women are being diagnosed, which is scary. More research is definitely needed in this area too. And you are so right. This is not about the boobies. Thank you for reading and commenting, too. I appreciate you sharing. This is very personal for you as well. x
I wrote a similar post on my Facebook page three years ago. I was diagnosed in October 2020. The month already brings up a lot of emotions and being bombarded with pink everything does not help. I especially hate how sexualized the campaign is. It's got nothing to do with "saving the boobies". It's about saving lives.
Thank you for writing that post on your FB page. Perhaps you'll consider sharing this piece. I'm sorry you were diagnosed, and I understand about the emotions being brought up. It's extra cruel to get a diagnosis during BCAM. Like you, I also hate the sexualization and the trivialization that too many campaigns are entangled with. You are spot on. First and foremost, this is about saving lives, not boobies. Or at least it should be. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you.
This was what I posted and reshare every year on October 1.
Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have mixed feelings about what is sometimes dubbed Pinktober. On the one hand, I know that early detection saved my life, so I am thankful for the awareness, advocacy, and research that is made possible by this campaign. On the other hand, I feel like all the pink ribbons, tutus, cutesy slogans, and commercialization of the month sometimes trivializes the experience of breast cancer patients. There is NOTHING pink or pretty about a breast cancer diagnosis. No matter what stage, grade or type of breast cancer, it is a scary diagnosis. And even the "easier" treatments are disfiguring, leave ugly scars, age you, and change you body, mind, and spirit. That said, I'm using this opportunity to encourage all of my female friends and family to take care of yourselves and get screened as appropriate. Know your body and push for answers if you feel something is wrong. For my male friends, encourage the women in your life to do the same. And keep an eye on things for yourself. Although it's rare, breast cancer does occur in men.
As a person who ironically had her surgery on October 1, 2018, I hate the pink ribbon with a passion. October is so triggering for me. I ask all those ads I see online what percentage or amount of your product goes to breast cancer, and to who exactly? I hold them accountable. I see others doing so as well, and I hope more of us jump on that bandwagon.
I am sorry October is so triggering for you, but I completely understand. Good for you for holding organizations/companies accountable. That is what everyone needs to do. I am seeing more folks doing it as well. We're making progress, but we still have work to do. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate you.
I read Meredith's excellent piece; thank you for providing the link.
I had previously read this article on your other blog, and I'm so glad you shared it here in Substack. It is truly spot-on, with undisputable points. Frankly, I find the language of pink ribbon sexploitation to be offensive. "Save the tatas," "Save second base," and all that other crap we hear is damanging to our psyches and trivializes our experience of suffering with the horrific disease known as breast cancer. And also what gets me is the shutting out of those individuals with metastatic breast cancer. There are so many problems with the pink ribbon.
I would add to the list a psychological component: The pink ribbon ignores the mental wear-and-tear that trauma causes to breast cancer patients. As you know, I have mental trauma from having had this disease. And I'm not alone. Many, many people suffer psychologically as a result of this disease.
Like you, I do love the color pink. I'm an artist and I love all colors. But the pink ribbon? Nope.
Thank you for reading Meredith's piece and for your kind words about my article. Pink ribbon sexploitation is indeed offensive. And yes, shutting out those with mbc for so long is/was a huge problem.
Your addition to the list is so important. The pink ribbon does not seem to address the mental trauma. Thank you for making this point. Too much pink fluff trivializes everything.
I have always loved pink. And not because it's often presented as a girl's color. I just like it. I am not surprised to hear you love all colors. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the pink ribbon. I appreciate you.
Hi Nancy, I can't choose the worst of the 10 because they all irk me, but I might add a #11. Whenever I see pink ribbons or sporting events with "pink out", or any of the paraphernalia it makes my stomach clench. It makes me feel violated and trivializes everything I went through along with thousands of others. I'm glad I'm seeing less of it.
It is hard to choose, isn't it? For me, it's that the number of annual deaths hasn't gone down since I was diagnosed. It's actually gone up a bit. The headlines suggest we are doing better than we are. Until that death number significantly decreases, I don't see how we can say we're making such great progress. And more younger women are being diagnosed. So much work yet to be done.
"It makes me feel violated and trivializes everything I went through along with thousands of others." That's exactly right! The pink nonsense stuff does make us feel violated. I love how you put that. Well said. Thank you. I appreciate you.
Pinkouts liken having a serious disease to a “fun sporting event or party.” Really?? So much wrong with this. Breast cancer is about as far as you get get from fun. It’s not pretty, pink, or sparkly. Just no.
Thank you, Nancy! You have pointed out what I’ve been feeling lately. We give a lot of attention to Breast Cancer, but not enough for other cancers. I also believe it’s the popularity of pink.
As a Lymphoma Survivor, if you asked when Blood Cancer Awareness Month is, it’s likely that people will not know. It was last month. Alongside Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but this one gets TV ads.
You are welcome. I feel badly that other cancers do not get the same attention. I don't think it's about the popularity of pink. It might have more to do with the "popularity" of breasts. So easy to exploit. Maybe that makes me sound cynical, but...
You are right, not that many people know about Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, or any of the other awareness months, for that matter. That's why I've sometimes referred to the pink ribbon as the "bully" of ribbons.
Thank you for reading and taking time to share your thoughts. It's nice to hear from survivors of other forms of cancer. Your thoughts matter. I appreciate you.
I still think it’s the popularity of pink. It’s also like how they have tried to force people to be like pink is for girls and blue is for boys. I never have seen beasts as being popular, but maybe it’s because I’m in a conservative state.
I think pink, femininity, all the slang terminology for breasts, etc are wrapped up in the pink ribbon takeover, too. Thanks for your additional comments.
I agree with every word you said. I really detest October and that awful pink ribbon. As you said, it trivializes a deadly, insidious disease. What is desperately needed is much more research for metastatic breast cancer. Not more awareness. Who isn't aware in 2024? Thank you for always beautifully articulating how I feel.
I still love October, but the pink ribbon, not so much. The trivialization seems to be happening less, but it's still going on as evidenced by that email I got. I haven't been in any stores this month, other than the grocery store, and I haven't noticed anything pink - or even any pink ribbons. I'm pretty focused when I go shopping though, so I might've missed some stuff.
You are so right about what is desperately needed. Awareness without action is meaningless. Thank you for reading and taking time to comment and for your kind words, too. I appreciate you.
Hi, Nancy. My daughter was diagnosed at age 35 with an aggressive form of breast cancer. No family history, no inherited gene mutation, nothing. She’s reached four years now, but has never received any kind of benefit from a pink-ribbon campaign. I’m right with you on this: it’s not about the boobies. My daughter is not a boobie. No one is. Thank you for this terrific article.🙏
Well said, Mary.
Thank you, Beth.❤️
Hi Mary,
I'm so sorry your daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. I didn't know that. What a horrendous experience for her and for you, too. Gosh, you've been through so much. I'm so glad to hear she is doing well. Please give her my best.
Statistics tell us more younger women are being diagnosed, which is scary. More research is definitely needed in this area too. And you are so right. This is not about the boobies. Thank you for reading and commenting, too. I appreciate you sharing. This is very personal for you as well. x
I wrote a similar post on my Facebook page three years ago. I was diagnosed in October 2020. The month already brings up a lot of emotions and being bombarded with pink everything does not help. I especially hate how sexualized the campaign is. It's got nothing to do with "saving the boobies". It's about saving lives.
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for writing that post on your FB page. Perhaps you'll consider sharing this piece. I'm sorry you were diagnosed, and I understand about the emotions being brought up. It's extra cruel to get a diagnosis during BCAM. Like you, I also hate the sexualization and the trivialization that too many campaigns are entangled with. You are spot on. First and foremost, this is about saving lives, not boobies. Or at least it should be. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you.
This was what I posted and reshare every year on October 1.
Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have mixed feelings about what is sometimes dubbed Pinktober. On the one hand, I know that early detection saved my life, so I am thankful for the awareness, advocacy, and research that is made possible by this campaign. On the other hand, I feel like all the pink ribbons, tutus, cutesy slogans, and commercialization of the month sometimes trivializes the experience of breast cancer patients. There is NOTHING pink or pretty about a breast cancer diagnosis. No matter what stage, grade or type of breast cancer, it is a scary diagnosis. And even the "easier" treatments are disfiguring, leave ugly scars, age you, and change you body, mind, and spirit. That said, I'm using this opportunity to encourage all of my female friends and family to take care of yourselves and get screened as appropriate. Know your body and push for answers if you feel something is wrong. For my male friends, encourage the women in your life to do the same. And keep an eye on things for yourself. Although it's rare, breast cancer does occur in men.
Hi Bonnie,
This is just great! Thank you for posting this each year on Oct 1. Such good points, and I love how inclusive you were. Well said. And thank you.
As a person who ironically had her surgery on October 1, 2018, I hate the pink ribbon with a passion. October is so triggering for me. I ask all those ads I see online what percentage or amount of your product goes to breast cancer, and to who exactly? I hold them accountable. I see others doing so as well, and I hope more of us jump on that bandwagon.
Hi Mary
I am sorry October is so triggering for you, but I completely understand. Good for you for holding organizations/companies accountable. That is what everyone needs to do. I am seeing more folks doing it as well. We're making progress, but we still have work to do. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate you.
Hi Nancy,
I read Meredith's excellent piece; thank you for providing the link.
I had previously read this article on your other blog, and I'm so glad you shared it here in Substack. It is truly spot-on, with undisputable points. Frankly, I find the language of pink ribbon sexploitation to be offensive. "Save the tatas," "Save second base," and all that other crap we hear is damanging to our psyches and trivializes our experience of suffering with the horrific disease known as breast cancer. And also what gets me is the shutting out of those individuals with metastatic breast cancer. There are so many problems with the pink ribbon.
I would add to the list a psychological component: The pink ribbon ignores the mental wear-and-tear that trauma causes to breast cancer patients. As you know, I have mental trauma from having had this disease. And I'm not alone. Many, many people suffer psychologically as a result of this disease.
Like you, I do love the color pink. I'm an artist and I love all colors. But the pink ribbon? Nope.
Hi Beth,
Thank you for reading Meredith's piece and for your kind words about my article. Pink ribbon sexploitation is indeed offensive. And yes, shutting out those with mbc for so long is/was a huge problem.
Your addition to the list is so important. The pink ribbon does not seem to address the mental trauma. Thank you for making this point. Too much pink fluff trivializes everything.
I have always loved pink. And not because it's often presented as a girl's color. I just like it. I am not surprised to hear you love all colors. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the pink ribbon. I appreciate you.
Hi Nancy, I can't choose the worst of the 10 because they all irk me, but I might add a #11. Whenever I see pink ribbons or sporting events with "pink out", or any of the paraphernalia it makes my stomach clench. It makes me feel violated and trivializes everything I went through along with thousands of others. I'm glad I'm seeing less of it.
Hi Donna,
It is hard to choose, isn't it? For me, it's that the number of annual deaths hasn't gone down since I was diagnosed. It's actually gone up a bit. The headlines suggest we are doing better than we are. Until that death number significantly decreases, I don't see how we can say we're making such great progress. And more younger women are being diagnosed. So much work yet to be done.
"It makes me feel violated and trivializes everything I went through along with thousands of others." That's exactly right! The pink nonsense stuff does make us feel violated. I love how you put that. Well said. Thank you. I appreciate you.
Pinkouts liken having a serious disease to a “fun sporting event or party.” Really?? So much wrong with this. Breast cancer is about as far as you get get from fun. It’s not pretty, pink, or sparkly. Just no.
Hi Mary,
Amen! Thank you for stating what should be the obvious.
I despise the pink ribbon - period
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for your very to-the-point comment. Appreciate you.
Thank you, Nancy! You have pointed out what I’ve been feeling lately. We give a lot of attention to Breast Cancer, but not enough for other cancers. I also believe it’s the popularity of pink.
As a Lymphoma Survivor, if you asked when Blood Cancer Awareness Month is, it’s likely that people will not know. It was last month. Alongside Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but this one gets TV ads.
Hi Christina,
You are welcome. I feel badly that other cancers do not get the same attention. I don't think it's about the popularity of pink. It might have more to do with the "popularity" of breasts. So easy to exploit. Maybe that makes me sound cynical, but...
You are right, not that many people know about Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, or any of the other awareness months, for that matter. That's why I've sometimes referred to the pink ribbon as the "bully" of ribbons.
Thank you for reading and taking time to share your thoughts. It's nice to hear from survivors of other forms of cancer. Your thoughts matter. I appreciate you.
I can understand the “bully” of ribbons thing.
I still think it’s the popularity of pink. It’s also like how they have tried to force people to be like pink is for girls and blue is for boys. I never have seen beasts as being popular, but maybe it’s because I’m in a conservative state.
Hi Christina,
I think pink, femininity, all the slang terminology for breasts, etc are wrapped up in the pink ribbon takeover, too. Thanks for your additional comments.
Sorry, I meant to write breasts.
Hi Nancy,
I agree with every word you said. I really detest October and that awful pink ribbon. As you said, it trivializes a deadly, insidious disease. What is desperately needed is much more research for metastatic breast cancer. Not more awareness. Who isn't aware in 2024? Thank you for always beautifully articulating how I feel.
Hi Holly,
I still love October, but the pink ribbon, not so much. The trivialization seems to be happening less, but it's still going on as evidenced by that email I got. I haven't been in any stores this month, other than the grocery store, and I haven't noticed anything pink - or even any pink ribbons. I'm pretty focused when I go shopping though, so I might've missed some stuff.
You are so right about what is desperately needed. Awareness without action is meaningless. Thank you for reading and taking time to comment and for your kind words, too. I appreciate you.