Hi beautiful people!
As we approach the month of October, there is an important matter to be aware of: Breast Cancer Awareness! This movement began in 1985 and was established when the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries (specifically their pharmaceutical division) partnered up. Their partnership was formulated in hopes of promoting mammograms, which are noted as an essential tool in catching and fighting against breast cancer. In our discussion, we will review more about the origins of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, (the symbolism behind the ribbon and some criticisms), and health facts surrounding breast cancer.
While Breast Cancer Awareness began in the mid-1980s, the ribbon did not officially become the symbol until 1992. The first appearance of the ribbon emerged from a separate event (unrelated to breast cancer). The ribbon was first used by a woman awaiting her spouse to come back home (as he was taken hostage in the Gulf War). This sparked a movement as people continued to use her yellow ribbon to represent soldiers fighting overseas. About a decade later, a red ribbon was used to bring awareness to AIDS, solidifying ribbons as an ultimate symbol of hope, awareness, and unity amongst issues and crises. As other organizations/ campaigns began to also use ribbons, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation used a pink ribbon for one of their events. However, this alone did not yet make the pink ribbon a national symbol. Another woman, Charlotte Haley had created a “peach-colored” ribbon to represent her relatives who had previously fought breast cancer. At the time, The National Cancer Institute had only used 5% of its budget for cancer prevention, and Haley used these ribbons to share a clear message to legislators. The magazine company Self magazine heard of this and wanted to use her ribbon, to which Haley responded no. Regardless, the company wanted to use the ribbon due to its current symbolism. Therefore, they changed the color to the famous pink that we see today. Due to the nature of its origin and how it continued to spread, the pink ribbon has sparked some controversy because of its commercial use. Some activists believe that companies can now overuse and exploit the pink ribbon to sell their products and profit from it. Other activists wear the pink ribbon with pride and believe it helps boost the Breast Cancer Awareness moment more, as it allows for more funding and national attention. In 1990, over $550 million of federal funding went into breast cancer research and more women were also getting mammograms!
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects women. According to the CDC, women account for 240,000 cases of breast cancer, and men account for 2,100 cases. 42,000 women in the U.S. die each year. Black women have the highest death rate from breast cancer, and it is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer, and the risk for development increases after the age of 50. Other risk factors include the following: Genetic mutations to genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, dense breasts, family history, taking hormones or certain oral contraceptives, and alcohol. A few ways to prevent breast cancer include a healthy diet and exercise while avoiding the following: drinking/smoking, hormone therapy for menopause, and birth control pills after the age of 35. Breastfeeding was also found to lower the risk of breast cancer, as well as the prescription drugs Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (which are not recommended for everyone but may be beneficial to those who are at high risk). Other important steps for risk management include diving into family history, as well as regular breast screening to spot tumors before they are large enough to feel, which is vital for catching cancer at an early stage. Most women begin annual breast screening at 40, but recently women have started to get mammograms earlier (30 is the recommended age for people who are at high-risk). Another way to be proactive is by performing routine self-breast exams to check yourself for any changes or abnormalities. The combination of at-home checks and annual screenings by your healthcare professional, as well as limiting risk factors, provides the most comprehensive breast cancer prevention.
To conclude our discussion, it is important to reflect on the significance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Without the activists who fought for its recognition, we would not have the funding for breast cancer research that we do today. As you see the pink ribbon appear throughout October, remember its true meaning and why it is vital to bring awareness to issues involving public health.
Remember to love and advocate for one another <3
-WHA
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