Last night three of my female friends posted unusual updates on Facebook about where they liked it.
I wanted to know what was going on, so I Googled it (I often find this approach less stressful than talking to women). It turns out it’s a campaign to draw attention to October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an idea along similar lines to last year’s effort which centred on posting your preferred bra colour on your favourite online social network.
Like most men, I like breasts and I hate cancer. I would prefer it if the two came together as infrequently as possible. But I can’t help but wonder why breast cancer in particular gets a whole month’s worth of awareness. Yes, it’s a terrible disease that according to the Australian Cancer Council affects somewhere in the region of one in nine women. Yes, it is the second most common form of cancer in women behind skin cancer (although it also comes in behind lung cancer, stomach cancer, bowel cancer and liver cancer if you add men to the equation). But come on – a whole month?
Last month in my office we attempted to raise money for prostate cancer research by holding a weekly barbeque each Friday at lunch time. We gave up after the first week due to lack of interest and managed to raise a triumphant eighteen dollars fifty which just about covered the cost of the meat. And don’t get me started on the questionable symbolism of combating prostate cancer by holding a sausage sizzle.
Just this week in the same office we participated in National RUOK? Day in aid of combating the insidious rise of suicide, which according to a federal government fact sheet claims more than 2000 lives in Australia each year. The basic idea was to spend some time making sure your friends and co-workers were feeling okay. We also get behind Daffodil Day, Jeans for Genes day, Red Nose Day and Australia’s biggest morning tea.
They’re all great ideas, but my point is they’re all just for one day. Why does suicide get one day with an awkward acronym while breast cancer gets a month, a viral internet meme and pink lights or ribbons strung up all over the place? And when is it going to be national liver cancer awareness month?
I’m trying hard not to arrive at the cynical conclusion that it’s because breasts are much sexier than suicide. And frankly I’m failing. I know which one I’d rather talk about. I suspect any given group of Australians in any pub in the country could come up with as many distinct synonyms for ‘breasts’ as there are other varieties of cancer. The Australian Cancer Council lists sixteen broad categories of them on its website. The American cancer institute list several hundred different types. Cancer varieties that is, not synonyms.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be aware of breast cancer, or even that the awareness campaign itself is not a great thing. And I don’t mean to belittle the suffering and experiences of those afflicted with this terrible condition. All of us need to be aware of what can and is being done to combat and, more importantly, prevent this disease.
My point is that there’s got to be a more universal way of promoting the need for research and action; some way of drawing attention to the issue that focuses on the cancer, rather than the breasts.
When it comes down to it, I don’t care where you put your handbag and I have only a passing interest in what colour your bra is. If we’re really serious about taking on cancer, can’t we find a campaign we can take seriously?
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Garry with 2 Rs
4 comments:
Hey Garry - The Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, as its name suggests, is primarily about awareness and it lasts for one month. If women are conscious about breast cancer for one month, they will be conscious about it during the one particular week of the month of October when conducting a self-examination will be effective. The purpose of the campaign is to focus on breasts - it aims to draw women's attention to their own breasts. For those who insist on seeing breasts as something to 'like' (as though they are an object that exist to be assessed as a matter of taste), something fun to talk about, something 'sexy' or as something inherently frivolous, the concept of deliberately focusing on breasts for a month cannot be taken seriously. For those who own breasts, and for those who are running a campaign that aims to increase early detection of breast cancer, it is just good sense.
By the way, I read and enjoy your blog! :)
Thanks Anna
I agree with most of what you say there. My question is more about why we pay so much more attention to breast cancer as compared with other equally deadly types of cancer, or other diseases for that matter. I’m suggesting that the extra attention comes from the sexy, fun, frivolous associations, which, as you say, can’t be taken seriously and I think that’s a shame.
Someone came around to my desk today selling breast cancer awareness month teddy bears in pink tutus. I bought one, just to show there are no hard feelings. It now sits proudly on top of my computer screen and silently denounces me as a hypocrite.
but have you named it yet??
Ah Kim. Fearlessly tackling the big issues as always.
According to the label, the bear is named Penny. As are all of them, which must make for confusing family reunions.
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