A lot of people are disillusioned with Breast Cancer Awareness Month
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October, it's hard to go too long without spotting a pink ribbon or T-shirt. Even football players go pink. Many see it as a way to support people in treatment, celebrate survivors, and remember those who have died of the disease. But the movement isn't so universally loved, The Huffington Post finds.
"Fundraising is great, don't get me wrong, but my sister and I are both sick of people buying a pink spatula and thinking that's all they can do. It's not," said Kady Schwartz, whose sister is hospitalized due to complications with stage 4 breast cancer.
Critics also argue that placing too much importance on breast cancer awareness with campaigns like "save second base" and No Bra Day can be hurtful to women who have undergone mastectomies. The pink everywhere is a constant reminder to some survivors of a difficult experience they'd rather not dwell on, an oncologist told HuffPo, adding that she sees an October spike in calls from patients who are worried about their cancer coming back.
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"I want to say to women, 'Know your body, know your options, know how to get it treated,'" breast cancer survivor Wendy Lawrence told HuffPo. "Don't just wear a pink T-shirt and take off your bra."
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Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
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