Breast Cancer is the most widely diagnosed cancer worldwide, with 1.7 million women (and men) being diagnosed annually. Every year, breast cancer contributes to 500,000+ deaths. Thankfully, research has yielded treatments that can extend the lives and even cure those who have been diagnosed. This research is often funded by a variety of breast cancer awareness and advocacy foundations, and every October we are surrounded by pink ribbons, pink hair, and messaging to recognize “Pinktober”. Many women find solace in the Pink Movement. They find support, community and understanding in the “sisterhood.” The Pink Movement brings awareness to the disease--the need for early detection, screenings and further research. But, what if you knew there was another side to the Pink Ribbon for many of those 1.7 million women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer?
Pink often signifies femininity, vitality, whimsy, and playfulness; but, as many counseling patients over the years have pointed out, “there is nothing that is pink and pretty about breast cancer.” Other patients have told us “the only thing Pink about breast cancer- are the burns on my body from radiation,” “I don’t want any part of the sisterhood and I feel guilty about that,” or even “I hate October, I can’t even watch a football game without breast cancer being shoved down my throat.” These quotes are hard to read. But, they are the words and experiences of our very own patients. For them, October is excruciating. In many cases Breast Cancer is not the death sentence it was years ago, but the reality is even if it doesn’t kill a patient physically, many individuals are left with permanent dysfunction, disability, mental health disorders, physical scars and trauma symptoms that never fade. Many of them don’t identify with being called “strong,” “a hero” or “an inspiration.” To them, they are climbing a mountain with no summit, not because they are “a fighter,” but because to stop is to die. Recently in a counseling session a patient said, “I’d cry in the shower multiple times a day, that’s not strength- I had no choice- I had to keep showing up and letting treatment rob me of everything I’ve known about my body- I had no choice- there is nothing pretty about that, and I hate that my suffering is represented by a pretty pink ribbon.”
Many patients also recognize this month has little to do with actually raising funds for breast cancer research. While, ‘pink washing” of products may give a bump or positive public image to the commercial companies selling pink items, it rarely generates a swell of funding for the organizations conducting research. While pink ribbons abound, some patients feel as though their suffering is unseen or minimized and see the pink culture as a platitude, allowing companies to paint themselves as magnanimous and the public to feel better having supported a cause.
There is nothing wrong with recognizing and supporting breast cancer patients through the month of October. Countless individuals with breast cancer call out for Pinktober and benefit from this month, but it is crucial to also create a safe space where those who do not identify with the sisterhood of the pink movement can feel heard, supported, and cared for in the best way possible – with no judgement and no guilt. We need to remember there is another side of the pink ribbon.