Breast cancer is definitely neither pink nor cheerful

Breast cancer and pink? Really? 

First, why pink? Pink is lame and lacks any power. Pink is freaking girly and there is nothing girly or rosy about breast cancer. Violet or black would have been a better choice. I learnt that the pink ribbon was introduced by Estee Lauder (the cosmetic brand). The initial color was peach but the lady who launched the breast cancer awareness thing would not let them use her logo. So, they went for pink (lawyers’ advice), and started their own pink washing operation (most cosmetics contain stuff that might cause cancer, in case you didn't know). So, here we are with pink. Thanks, Estee. I don't think anybody with breast cancer was ever consulted.

The whole Pink October – Raise Breast Cancer Awareness thing reeks of a cheerfulness which makes me nauseous. Cancer is nasty and violent and ugly. And we should be all cheerful about it and go for a walk dressed in pink? Nope. We should be angry, so angry. We have every right to be angry. Anger is a force, a forward energy. However, women are not allowed to be angry and to express it. We are supposed to be caring, loving, brave, gracious, and grateful. And pink. And swallow our rage at being sick, scarred, scared.

All this pink cheerfulness also hides the reality of cancer, which is death and pain. Not all breast cancer stories end well and cheerfully. Even the ones that end well are full of pain, grief, fear, debilitating side effects, losses. For people who have gone or are going through breast cancer October may feel like an unnecessary and long remembrance of what you went through dressed in pink.

Where does the money go? 

Did you know that most of the funds raised for breast cancer go into research of some kind, without much coordination between the receivers? Breast cancer is a business, with quite expensive treatments. My breast cancer cost around CHF 250’000. That’s huge. A lot of money goes into researching meds and protocols that slightly better the already existing treatments. Very little goes into prevention of breast cancer, for example the effect of endocrine disruptors in plastic, or pesticides in food, or aluminum deodorants.

More breast cancer, and not a clue

I am furious that, once again, the burden is on the individuals, who should eat healthy and organic, do sports and get mammograms,and self-examine their breasts on a regular basis. Not much is done about having an environment that would foster less cancer in general.

The rate of breast cancer in Western countries has steadily increased in the last 30 years, especially among women under 40 and in high-income countries. Mortality rate has declined; however, prevalence has increased (which probably means that at the end, a lot of people still die). Loads of money get thrown into research for cures while there is not much inquiry about the causes of breast cancers. Around 50% of all breast cancers happen with no specific risk actors other than sex and age, according to WHO. This means that we do not have a clue about what causes them.

Donate knowingly

So please, should you donate in October (or any other month), inquire about the way your money will be used. Donate to organizations who work directly with cancer patients to actually help them instead of buying something with a pink ribbon. Here are a few in the French part of Switzerland: 

Ose Thérapie: https://ose-therapies.ch/

Centre Otium: https://www.otium.center/

ESCA English Speaking Cancer Association: https://www.cancersupport.ch/

LOOK AT AND FEEL YOUR BREASTS REGULARLY. IT IS IMPORTANT

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