Take Action Thursday - Pinktober is Almost Over

Take Action Thursday - Pinktober is Almost Over

      Take Action Thursday is a new article I'm starting because there are lots of things we can do to affect our health.  I have decided to utilize Thursdays to draw attention to actions you can take for a better you.  It has been difficult for me to find time to do as much posting as I did before, but being a caregiver to 3 has been exhausting...and has begun to take a toll on me and my health.  Taking action is empowering, so I'm empowering myself, and hopefully empowering you, too.

Rethink Breast Cancer: Your Man Reminder

Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian breast cancer charity that brings bold awareness to the ‘under-40 crowd’, has released a number of humorous videos promoting self-examinations that uses attractive men as eye candy. If this video doesn’t remind women to check themselves, I don’t know what will!   Courtesty WhatNext.com

Want Your Man Reminder app?  Get it here from Rethink Breast Cancer!

       As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close and the pink-washing gets put away for another year, let's not forget that it's not just about the commercialization of breast cancer, it's about the patients and the families affected by breast cancer. Now, after so many hours spent in oncology, I see faces attached to the diagnosis, not just the words, not just the pink ribbons.  If you really want to make a difference in breast cancer I propose this, rather than splurging on that pink vacuum (of which perhaps a penny on the dollar, if you are lucky, will actually go to fund research) contemplate making a donation to your local oncology department.  When we started in oncology my husband received a tote filled with things that would make him more comfortable while undergoing treatment: a travel mug for water (hydration keeps nausea at bay), a blanket (chemo often makes them very cold, or tired), lip balm, etc.  His was donated by a sports team at the local college, and while it's not much, it helps.  My point is, make sure your donation dollars are actually being spent where you think they are, or Think Before You Pink.

Remember to learn how to do self-checks.  Being familiar with your own equipment can help you quickly spot changes that may mean breast cancer. . . and GUYS, don't forget that while it is less common for men to get breast cancer, it still happens!



The SCAR Project: Breast Cancer Is Not A Pink Ribbon

     Did you know...  Men can be affected by breast cancer, not as a caregiver to a woman affected by the disease, but as the afflicted.  In fact the statistic is about 1% of all breast cancers is in men.

Metastic Breast Cancer is a killer.  It's okay to think Pink, but remember to do those self tests and talk to your doctor about how often you should get a mamogram, catching cancer in its early stages improve your survival odds.

     How does the cancer community view Pinkwashing?  It's split.  Some take it and run with it, using it to raise awareness, using the colour for personal empowerment.  Others don't like it, some actually hate it.  Some breast cancer patients resent the colour because of their cancer while those with other cancers feel left out because there is little awareness for their type of cancer...no ribbons, no ad campaigns, no signs.  Some like the thought that it raises awareness, but wish their cancer was acknowledged, too.  When it comes to the cute little slogans, screw saving the ta-ta's, once you hear the words "you have breast cancer", it's not about saving that tit, it's about saving your life.  The Huffington Post has a series of articles about the pinkwashing phenomena, check them out.

     

 ..."the shock, the tears, the anger, the horrifying treatments and frustrating medical establishment, but there’s also a lot to laugh at – once you get past the whole life and death thing. Oh yeah – there are also all those damn pink ribbons."  Read Why I Hated Pink - Confessions Of A Breast Cancer Survivor by Maryellen D. Brisbois

         “Are you sitting down?” I swear that’s what the nurse practitioner said as I picked up the phone early one December morning in 2006. They really say that to people, It’s not just in the movies!” So begins this moving and hilarious memoir written by a nursing instructor turned cancer patient whose life and experience with the world of cancer treatment has just gone from being the caregiver to being the one who needs the care – and she had just celebrated her 41st birthday a couple of days before.

“I mean, I never thought I’d find myself in an MRI machine lying on my stomach with my breasts hanging toward the floor in these “cone-like” compartments. All I could think was that a man must have invented such a thing.” Thankfully, the Maryellen D. Brisbois story has a happy ending – and a lot of laughs along the way. But this is serious book, about a serious subject that affects far too many women; our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. Many of them will be facing the fight of their lives – as they fight FOR their lives. Reading Why I Hated Pink by Maryellen D. Brisbois will make that fight a little easier for those women, and offer a much needed laugh along the way.

The Moral of this Story

     The point I'm getting at is that the Pinkwashing campaign is obviously working, because it's been commercialized, just remember the reason behind it.  If you want to donate, find a means to really make those dollars count.  Just please, please, please remember that it isn't about "saving the ta-tas", it's about saving the life of the woman who lost her hair and now rides into oncology in a wheelchair, your neighbor, your mother, your sister, your daughter, your wife.  Learn to see the faces, then perhaps we can push for a cure, not just another cute slogan.

     During our last visit to the hospital for my husband's liver biopsy much of the staff was proudly wearing the pink tee shirts for October being breast cancer awareness month.  My husband didn't blink asking each of them if next month they'd be wearing periwinkle blue for stomach cancer awareness month.  Periwinkle blue is his cancer ribbon colour, it covers gastric cancers (esophageal and stomach).  I asked the same to the local clinic registration ladies when I took my mother for her doctor's appointment, I got a blank look.  Then you could hear the crickets chirp, if it weren't already too cold for the crickets.  Equal time for all cancers until there is a cure.

Take Action...Make an Impact

     Proudly sport pink, make a donation where it counts.  Then, remember that there are lots of cancers.  Don't forget to show your support to them, too.  If you don't know where to start, ask how your donation can make an impact to support cancer survivors in your community, your local oncology department will be glad to help you.  (Cancer survivors are those diagnosed with cancer, on that first day, because every day after diagnosis you are working at survival.)  If you know someone with cancer, ask them or their caregiver what you can do to help: do they need groceries?  the sidewalk shoveled free of snow?  the law cut?  a casserole for those exhausting days to go from freezer to oven?  a gas or grocery gift card to ease expenses?  It doesn't have to hurt to help.

     Lastly, learn how to do your self-breast exam and have a conversation with your doctor about your risks and how often a mammogram is appropriate for you.  Until there is a cure, there is early detection.

Links

• Breast Cancer in Men - American Cancer Society
• Self Breast Exam - American Cancer Society 
• Think Before You Pink - How much actually goes to breast cancer research?
• The Huffington Post on pinkwashing - "the truth about corporate pinkwashing", "this breast cancer awareness month, don't think pink-think green", "wearing of the pink", "5 things you may not know (but should) about breast cancer awareness", "my disease isn't a cutesy slogan"
• the Scar Project - Breast Cancer Is Not A Pink Ribbon
• Get your Man Reminder app from Rethink Breast Cancer
• Our very own November is...campaign to raise awareness for my husband's fight with stomach cancer

Where you can make a donation that helps:  (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, just some resources that have helped us out)

• the CaringBridge.org - a free Blog where those undergoing a health crisis can see love and support amplified...ours is "the Bull Run", because making all those phone calls after a long day in the hospital is emotionally exhausting, but you want your loved ones to be up to date on what's going on.
• LIVESTRONG Foundation - offers a free book for those beginning their cancer journey, plus connection to free resources based on your individual needs; such as consultation, mentoring, etc.  We have the book!
• Angel On My Shoulder - programs, camps, events and resources for cancer survivors (children, teen or adult) and their caregivers.
• Navigate Cancer Foundation - hope and guidence for cancer patients and their families, helping them become expert patients.  An oncology nurse specializing in the type of cancer affecting my family helped me understand pathology reports and develop better questions for our doctor visits, free of charge.
• Imerman Angels - free one-on-one support for those affected by cancer, matched with a mentor angel (survivor or caregiver) by age, sex, cancer type..  Because everyone fighting cancer deserves an "angel" .