Good thing they're wearing pink; otherwise I might have forgotten about breast cancer!
The NFL, in line with baseball and other sports, has promoted a “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” theme of wearing pink and displaying breast cancer awareness messages onscreen.
Many who know me know that I have a continuous beef with the endless “Breast Cancer Awareness” campaigns (see also), in particular because they turn the breast cancer ribbon into a marketing gimmick. Charities, especially those researching diseases, are not counting on your measly five-cent donation for sending in that yogurt lid! This is little more than cancer profiteering.
One thing that none of these statistics that the NFL blares: the causes of breast cancer! It assumes that breast cancer is some sort of magical condition that befalls you, instead of mentioning risk factors or ethnic/socioeconomic disparities or anything relevant in recent breast cancer research.
Not to mention the whole “awareness” angle seems a little silly. Have we forgotten there was breast cancer, simply because pink wasn’t slathered on every commercial product in the supermarket aisle?
Some diseases arguably need broader awareness — heart disease kills many more women; lung cancer, too, with a ridiculous mortality rate.
There’s no question that breast cancer is a serious disease, but you don’t cure disease with slogans or more money in the pockets of the NFL or Procter&Gamble.
I have no problem with sports leagues doing their best to bring breast cancer to the attention of everyone. Honestly, it does feel like a magical condition that befalls people…Breast Cancer has no preference. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through a rigorous process of chemo and radiation. Luckily she is alive today because of breast awareness campaigns like this that allowed her to catch it early. Nobody in our family had ever had it. So I don’t care about facts when the players are wearing pink…all I care about is awareness. There may be one woman watching that decides she needs to give herself an exam and finds out she has a lump…in the end she may survive because she caught it early. This is a very curable cancer and that’s why there is a push for awareness so that it can be caught early and the chances for survival will be way up. I would rather have the commercialism any day because I am sorry but that saved my mother’s life. So yes, I say thank you to every single person that brings it to every womans attention. You are entitled to your opinions and I respect them…I am just happy there are people trying to make a difference.
http://www.runtobefit.wordpress.com
The costs of finding breast cancer early, as well as the cost of false positives, can be much higher overall, than limiting screening for only those who present risk factors.
Most notably, false positives (or detection of cancers which would otherwise not have presented themselves during a patient’s lifetime) can often yield additional anxiety-producing tests, as well as dangerous treatments.
See: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html
Like you, I am happy there are people trying to make a difference, but I am wary of people who make a profit off of goodwill for a charitable cause, particularly when those good intentions may not be yielding the optimal result.
As a woman, as a person who knows someone who has survived breast cancer, as a person who knows of people who have died of breast cancer, I am glad that the pink ribbon is becoming more visible. Yes, it may be tied to marketing and it may seem like overkill to some. But, for those who have been touched by cancer and for those who could be touched by breast cancer themselves (mainly women), I’m sure seeing a “pink” on the football field means more than you know.
I’d agree that five cent yogurt lid donations are far more about marketing and tying the company to a good cause than actually curing the disease.
runtobefit makes an important point, though. You can scoff at the idea of wearing pink and say that we’re on an awareness overload, but breast cancer has to stay in the minds of the public if we are to continue raising funds and reminding women to self-check. I think the fact that pink is now almost synonymous with breast cancer is not ‘annoying’ or a mark of too much commercialism; it’s a sign of success.
On another note, I think the authors of this post should stand corrected: breast cancer is actually in many cases a “magical condition that befalls you.” So many women with breast cancer were extremely healthy their entire lives and did nothing to bring about such a diagnosis. My mother was one of them.
Great, great post. And you don’t cure it by writing it on your FB walls or changing your profile photo to pink, either.
Hear-hear! I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for saying what is on my mind (and I’m sure on the minds of many).
Awesome blog!!! I just finished one myself on this exact subject.
Well said!!
I agree. It seems like things are hitting overload. I know what breast cancer is. I know it is serious. I know women need to get screened. I know many have lost mothers, daughters, and wives. I know the research and treatment costs money.
But what I don’t need is to be reminded every time I go to the supermarket, during every football game, and every time I turn on the television. I feel like someone is trying to shame me. There are plenty of other worthy causes out there – I don’t understand the excessive emphasis on breast cancer – for an entire month. How about a “sexual harassment awareness sunday” (perfect for the NFL), a “use a condom” week, or a “wash your hands after using the bathroom” infomercial?
I know what breast cancer is. I know it is serious. I know women need to get screened. I know many have lost mothers, daughters, and wives. I know the research and treatment costs money.
I also know 46,000 women are affected by cancer every year.
I also know there has been an increase by around 50% over the last twenty year.
I also know worldwide 1.38 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer 2008.
One month devoted to cancer isn’t enough, we did to raise awareness of breast cancer every single minute of the day.
Right on. This overwhelming education about breast cancer has bothered me for a long time. Strangely enough, with all the research and new technologies, they are no better at curing breast, prostate, or any number of cancers. What are they better at? Finding it and in the process, forcing people to live the rest of their lives in fear of their cancer recurring. Five- and ten-year survival rate? Yeah, it’s better. But only because they’re catching the cancer earlier. But the same number of people are dying of all sorts of cancers. And no, I’m not making this up. This is straight from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
YES! You’ve verbalized (well, written) my thoughts exactly. I spend most of October arguing with people that “awareness” doesn’t mean anything if you don’t really know what it is you’re supposed to be aware of. That pink water bottle or pink-ribboned lipstick is useless because 1) it gives such little money to actually researching a cure and 2) it gives no info to the buyer about how to prevent or watch for breast cancer. (You probably know this already, but more info on stupid, useless breast cancer “awareness” campaigns — um, really, KFC “Buckets For The Cure”? — can be found at ThinkBeforeYouPink.org.)
Thank you also for including the information about heart disease and lung cancer. You’re right on there as well.
I’m so glad your post was Freshly Pressed and that I found your blog! I dig your perspective and your sharp wit. Looking forward to reading more of your writing.
Completely agree. A friend of mine said to me at last week’s Texan’s game, “Well they’re all wearing pink, the NFL MUST give some sort of donation… right?” NFL, I call your bluff. I wish the NFL would’ve taken the millions they spent on pink merchandise and donated THAT to research.
I also wrote about this last week: http://esthersteinfeld.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/pinkwashing-stop-using-our-diseases-to-sell-your-products/
It’s too bad other, more serious diseases don’t have as good of a marketing department.
I have a different opinion. I think the marketing is to raise money. Selling the pink ribbons are going to breast cancer research aren’t they? Maybe I don’t know the whole story on that. Either way, I found it intereting that the men were wearing pink during the game. I see nothing wrong with making it obvious that they support breast cancer awareness. Go TEAM! I’m not sure how wearing pink makes the NFL more $??? Thanks for your post.
http://lonestargayle.wordpress.com
Such is life. Everyone is out to make a buck. That’s the American way. To play Devil’s Advocate a bit here, in all fairness having some supporting facts about the NFL not contributing anything to breast cancer research would be far more compelling and convincing than simply damning them for being the corporate juggernaut that it is. The NFL makes money. That’s all it does. If they take in 90% of the profits and give 10% to research, care and treatment then that’s better than if they didn’t promote and market it at all.
What the NFL actually does with the money is another story. Dig deeper and maybe you’ll find something.
October is breast cancer awareness month so the advertising is for awareness. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and according to the National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control, about 40,000 women die in the US each year from the disease.
Herceptin is approved for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpression breast cancer. Breast cancer, like all cancers is a terrible disease and promoting awareness helps bring in money for research so that a cure and not just a treatment can be found.
http://www.moneyprovidesfreedom.wordpress.com
I understand that it is for “awareness,” but this seems to me to be the most pointless kind of advertising, particularly for a disease that has reached ubiquitous status. No one is going to forget that breast cancer exists, and anyone who wasn’t aware that breast cancer existed will not be suddenly made aware by their yogurt lid.
Almost two times as many women die of lung cancer every year, yet one sees very few lung cancer awareness banners. Sadly, we only have limited attention spans, and the breast cancer awareness campaign has become more about the brand than about saving lives.
A correction to your post. According to the CDC, the most common cancer in women is breast followed by lung.
Uh, not so. The most common cancer is breast cancer. I said that lung cancer kills more people, which it does.
No, you don’t see Lung cancer awareness banners, you see programs like “the Great Smoke Out” and the commercials on TV that we have all come to know “Get The TRUTH about smoking” as well as countless legislation’s to get smoking banned in public places.
Yes, but lung cancer awareness would probably avoid sponsoring tobacco or asbestos, while the pink ribbon is gleefully placed on hard liquor (despite the risk associated with alcohol) and fried chicken (despite the risk associated with obesity). Especially when many of these organizations have a hard cap on their donations, it’s hard to tell which product will actually give back, and which won’t.
In addition, I think that there is more stigma attached to lung cancer, heart disease, etc., since they are attached to perceived lifestyle choices, as opposed to breast cancer, which appears more random in nature.
Well why dont more people get awareness of lung cancer?? or any other disease?
These are some good posts. Dialogue is a good thing.
I do see lung cancer awareness advertising every time I see a packet of cigarettes or other tobacco products. The “banner” goes something like this: SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth Weight.
I have yet to see any breast cancer awareness advertising when my wife buys bras.
I don’t know about you but as a typical guy, I am all for saving the “boobies”.
When I see tons of this awareness advertising, I feel a little bit like I do when I am waiting at a ridiculously long traffic light that is outside a rich neighborhood. You know somebody in there is connected at city hall, and they got that light to be WAY favorable for the folks in there. I guess the difference is, the light really inconveniences people but the breast cancer awareness campaign doesn’t really do harm. It’s just that somebody’s connected. So I suppose, good luck to them. I hope that the other causes you mentioned are also picked up on this kind of radar.
-Wineguider, http://wineguider.wordpress.com
What color ribbon do we wear for testicular cancer awareness?
Good point. I knew someone who died of TC and he was only 18. Very sad indeed.
As far as statistics go: 9,000 men will be diagnosed with TC in 2010 and 360 will die. For breast cancer, about 40,000 will die this year (according to the CDC).
April 1-7th is testicular cancer awareness week. Good info can be found at TCAG.org.
http://www.moneyprovidesfreedom.wordpress.com
While the Pink Ribbon may appear to be a marketing gimmick, it is no different than any other awareness organization that uses ribbons as a graphic for their case. The heart association uses Red Ribbons, the American Cancer Society is largely known for the Purple Ribbon that is used for the Relay For Life fundraisers, and Autism Awareness uses a puzzled ribbon.
Secondly, while the NFL itself didn’t make a donation, by bringing Breast cancer to the forefront, there are several individual teams that have made donations. The Philadelphia Eagles have been selling pink hats and ties and have made over $850,000 that is being donated to care and research organizations. The Rams have raised over $23,000, the Colts have donated over $10,000, the Bears more than $80,000 and the refs association donated $14,000. So no, the Nfl didn’t make a donation, the encourage the team to take their own stand, do what they feel is appropriate, and in turn there has been over a million dollars donated to various organizations that support the ongoing fight for Breast cancer.
And while you also correct in saying that during broadcast there are Breast Cancer facts that are flashing on the screen, most all of the teams have worked with local Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sororities to hand out information at the games and collect donations.
If your life had been personally affected by breast cancer you wouldn’t be so ignorant on the matter.
The pink ribbon’s marketing gimmick is exactly that, and I have similar concern about other “branded” awareness logo. (For instance, why does the American Heart Association endorse Cheerios? They don’t endorse lettuce, do they?) If you think otherwise, why is the Susan G. Komen charity going so far out of its way to defend its trademarks and the color pink? (see: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/05/pm-susan-g-komen-fights-for-trademark/)
It’s great that these organizations are donating money. But that’s irrelevant to my original point, which is that the proclaimed importance of pink-washing is to “improve awareness.” I think it’s fair to question whether this kind of awareness is actually helping to curb the spread or incidence of the disease.
Also, we generally don’t approve of ad hominems at The Unpersons, but I’ll forgive you for calling me ignorant. You are right in that I have not personally been affected by breast cancer, and I am lucky in that regard. But Breast Cancer Action (which sponsors “Think Before You Pink”) was founded and is run by breast cancer survivors, and they have a similar view to mine. Are they also ignorant?
I agree that when you are a Breast Cancer Survivor the Pink can be overwhelming, but I also know countless women that embrace that pink. Yes, it is a reminder that they have cancer, but it is also the driving force that pushes many of these women to not stop fighting, and even after they are cured they embrace that pink as a reminder of what they have been through.
I also agree with them that there needs to be more of a push at the government level and FDA to reduce the amount of carcinogens that we are exposed to. But all that aside and back to your point…
If during the month of October there is ONE woman that sees that Pink Ribbon, or pink glove or pink shoes and is reminded that she should have her mammogram, if all this PINK leads to ONE woman getting checked and having an early diagnosis, then all the Pink was worth it because in the end it saved a life. To some people, it may just be a pink ribbon, to others seeing that pink ribbon could be their saving grace. A very good friend of mine is an active marathon runner and a few years ago her company made a big donation on behalf of anyone that ran in the Susan G Komen race. As a runner, she jumped at the chance to compete, but after the race and seeing all the awareness messages, she got her very first mammogram. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks later. But it was that early detection that led to it being caught and she is now a Survivor. The race saved a life.
But now we’re getting into the problem of marginal utility. You say that all the Pink was worth it, if one woman gets a mammogram that saves her life. What if one woman gets a mammogram that leads to an incorrect diagnosis or a premature masectomy?
In addition, what if that expense, time, and attention had been paid to something less sexy — colorectal cancer, say? And let’s say it would save many more lives (considering how below the radar colorectal cancer tends to be, particularly for women).
Would it still be worth it?
Of course its worth it!!! It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer it is… early detection increases survival rates of any cancer…. if you want to start a brown ribbon campaign for colon cancer, I am all for it, I will wear the brown ribbon proudly, and when people ask me what the hell a brown ribbon is for I will GLADLY give them my elevator speech for Colon cancer!!!! My dad died from colon cancer when he was in his 30′s…. I am very much an advocate!!!
It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer it is… people need to be proactive!!!! Get the screenings!!! Women should have mammograms and paps every year… end of discussion!! In my own test over the last couple years I have add abnormal results come back, and I have had to go for biopsies to get the cells checked. Is it stressful to hear it could be “cancer” every time… yes! Do I still go for my test every year, even though I know whats coming… YES!!!! Because I chose to keep a close eye on it. I’m not going out getting body parts removed just yet, but I know that it could turn cancerous anytime and I will know early!
ANY education is worth it…. It doesn’t matter what it is!!! If a life is saved it has been time well spent!!!
[...] The NFL, in line with baseball and other sports, has promoted a "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" theme of wearing pink and displaying breast cancer awareness messages onscreen. Many who know me know that I have a continuous beef with the endless "Breast Cancer Awareness" campaigns (see also), … Read More [...]
Well I agree up to a point. But if no one brought any awareness to it, then people would gripe that NO ONE EVER TALKS ABOUT IT. And you know there are those in the group that would do that. So I commend the NFL for their support and awareness. I do think too that people feel it’s a magical spell that falls on people. But the thing is it shows no preference. Even men get it. So I say the more people spread the word, the better off we all are in the fight.
If you really want to discuss the whole awareness angle. I find sketchy the Cancer Treatment commercials where women state how doctors are cold in their prognosis and how this treatment center healed them and such. As much as I think treatment centers are a good thing, I think in a way, these commercials do more damage than a ribbon and the NFL ever do because they kind of provide false hope. You walk in there thinking everything is curable. And let’s face it. Some people are in worse stages than others. Now THOSE commercials annoy me more than anything.
snifflegabs.wordpress.com
you certainly dont cure it by creating awareness with facebook statuses such as “I like it on the table” or “i like it heavy”
You offer a valid point of view in your post, but great good comes out of the awareness campaign, and it certainly should not be eliminated nor is it fair to criticize harshly. “Awareness” means encouraging women to do their monthly self exams and to get their yearly mammograms as well as being “aware” that with continuing research scientists are finding more and better ways to cure a rampant illness and prolong life. My Mom is a BC Survivor in large part because of all those dollars from awareness campaigns which funded her newly FDA approved treatment. She is also a survivor because she was “aware” of how important her yearly exam was, and her aggressive & deadly cancer was caught in a very early stage.
So, I say “thank you” to the NFL for actually trying to do something positive for the community, and think about other people who are suffering. I see nothing wrong with that in the least.
And by the way, I bought a pack of Activia Yogurt on Monday with BC donation campaign lids which reminded me that I had not scheduled my yearly mam. so I took care of that yesterday. One person at a time, “awareness” saves lives.
The fact you and many of the rest of us spent so much time chatting about breast cancer simply proves that all this marketing works.
Why isn’t bone marrow cancer on everyone’s mind? Because they have one walk “light the night” which we participate in each year… my wife is a bone marrow cancer specialist.
It’s no accident that breast cancer has such high awareness. They do a great job keeping it out in the forefront. Do they care that some would take the time to speak detrimentally about it? Of course not! You’re talking about it, and that my friend is all that matters…LOL
As far as making money on pink stuff…who cares? If they send 25 cent per item to the fund, then that’s 25 cents they did not have. I don’t think Komen really caress too much that the rest of the money goes in an entrepreneurs pocket…. It’s business, man!
They dangle the bait, and one way or the other you, me and all the others take it…that’s…good marketing!
Well, this is exactly the problem, isn’t it? If we simply decide how to allocate resources towards combating illness based on who has the better marketing campaign, I doubt we’ll have an optimal process for eliminating disease.
Humans currently appear to require some large expression of social consciousness from businesses. So much so, that it becomes a branding tool. It’s at least a two-fer! Is expression of consciousness anything other than another sort of target market audience? Besides, how else can the companies doing it, get tax breaks?
I find it interesting that the products doing the advertising can be listed as contributing factors for diseases! too funny
Seeing notifications timed once a month DOES help me to check the ta-tas! Being overloaded by the words and the pink, can have me tuning it all out like whiney kiddos needing a nap.
It’s interesting that I waffled so much over whether to reply. To agree with your view seems akin to hating puppies.
I’ve often wondered what the economic consequences would be if breast cancer were eradicated (which would be, of course, a wonderful thing).
Oh, and I love puppies.
Believe it or not I have tried to keep this short LOL I could write a whole lot more on this matter and if you wish to know more e-mail me.
Let me begin by saying both my dad and step-dad died of cancer. I chose to experience cancer and treat it through natural, alternative remedies. This may not be for everybody but it is a healing path that already exists so why not make it more readily available? Pharmaceuticals are not the be all and end all in staying healthy.
What I learned from this process and my metaphysical studies is we would all be better off by focusing on what we wish to experience rather than what we don’t wish to experience.
Why not have a month where funds were raised to provide people with vegetable juicers and high quality blenders to make green smoothies? Use these funds to pay naturopaths to assist people in making fresh, healthy juice blends to keep them healthy. The national health care debate could also be eased in this fashion. Dangerous flu shots could become a thing of the past.
I am not saying people should stop getting treatment. What I am suggesting is people start realizing how powerful their thoughts are in creating their life experience. Besides how bad can it be for somebody to have a positive attitude at any time? When is it not a good time for joy and laughter and celebration?
We are all aware of the impact stress has on our physical health yet we deny our thoughts can lead to other diseases. How much sense does this make? Raising the awareness of any disease will only lead to more of the disease. Quantum physics tells us observation creates reality. Why not focus on what we want to experience?
Rather than “Say no to drugs” try “Say yes to yoga”. Rather than marching against a war try marching for peace. Rather than a month focusing on a disease, any disease, why not a month focused on raising funds for people to attend Tai Chi classes or a gym membership or food stamps just for organic products?
These are merely suggestions I am offering but if you take a little time to see how your body responds to the different thoughts you may gain some fresh insights into the power of your thoughts. Do you want to think thoughts that cause your body to tense up or thoughts that cause it to relax? I have made my choice. You are free to make yours.
Would you care to explain the following claim that you made:
“Raising the awareness of any disease will only lead to more of the disease.”
You seem to be implying that if one were to think about breast cancer or even some other cancer, then one would have a higher chance of contracting the disease, which is quite silly.
I think awareness campaigns also help women remember that they are not alone. Do we need the NFL players to wear pink as a reminder? Not necessarily. However, it is a nice gesture, assuming that the NFL had the right intentions in mind. Even if only the players and not the organizers had the right intentions, I think it’s always nice for women to see support coming from men. I also agree with what someone said in an earlier comment. Providing awareness helps to keep the discussions about such a disease alive. And, with more discussions, hopefully, there will be more earlier diagnoses and urgency to go get breast exams.
-Bina ipeoplewatch.wordpress.com
“But now we’re getting into the problem of marginal utility. You say that all the Pink was worth it, if one woman gets a mammogram that saves her life. What if one woman gets a mammogram that leads to an incorrect diagnosis or a premature masectomy?
In addition, what if that expense, time, and attention had been paid to something less sexy — colorectal cancer, say? And let’s say it would save many more lives (considering how below the radar colorectal cancer tends to be, particularly for women).
Would it still be worth it?”
You’re speaking about two different issues here… you start with awareness then switch to something about incorrect diagnoses. I believe that’s the fallacy of equivocation. Stick to one issue! The issue here is awareness, bringing women in to see if they have BC. The issue is NOT what happens once they’re at the doctor. And the issue is certainly not a whole bunch of hypotheticals that you’re making up that may or may not be in your favor. My mom was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, and when she lost all of her hair, yeah, she got a lot of pink hats. People at her church often refer to her having breast cancer rather than lung cancer. So as to whether or not all the pink is doing it’s job… it sure is! And personally, I don’t get offended if people think she has BC instead of LC, because in the end it’s all about support and love and caring about oneself and about others. All this awareness, that’s what it does. That is what all the pink is for IMO. A solid, unifying message that brings people together under one doctrine where we can all share in the pain of BC, and the hope of overcoming it, and the joy in survival. I think it’s really cool that the NFL all wear pink. I know last season Ochocinco got fined by the NFL for wearing too much pink, and the fine he paid, plus an additional match he voluntarily made was all donated to the cure.
You know they don’t have to do this, wear pink gloves, and companies don’t have to make pink coffee cups. If it was some sort of mandate by law, then I’m sure your point would be much more valid in that it’s pretty much pointless. But companies choose to do what they can to support awareness, and honestly they have no moral code to do anything. So you can’t say, well they should donate cash instead of buying pink blah-blahs. If you own a company, then do what you want, but until then I think we should all support *any* efforts anyone does to bring awareness and support to cancer.
Not trying to pimp my stuff, but I wrote a short ebook on something like this a while ago. It is full not of my opinion, but of information from a conference put on by the NIH and CDC. It’s only 10 pages, and there are pics all over the place, so it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to read. If interested, here’s the link: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=9366
Regardless, I believe this is a good conversation. Thanks for the original post. danielkbrantley.com
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! As someone dealing with a less popular, and therefore, less visible cancer I share your sentiments. If I see one more pink mixer I’m going to throw it at somebody!
I had the same initial feeling when I saw that. All that could have been money donated in a humble and discreet manner. Instead you create all of these products that will probably be worn for this month only. Yeah its money wasted but to these top notch billionaires…its hardly a dent in their piggy bank. Tsk tsk.
As a survivor, I am all for helping those afflicted with this pain in the you-know-what disease. But I have to agree. It is an out of control mega corporation ad frenzy.
Let’s focus on the causes–environment being one biggie.
There is more specific info on this subject here:
http://sisterearthorganics.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/this-breast-cancer-survivor-says-step-away-from-the-pink/
But I have to confess…..it’s hella fun to watch all that pink on the field
Bravo. Bravo.
Bravo.
I totally agree, Its becoming all marketing now. I’m all about cancer awareness but its going a little too far considering my wife dad died of liver cancer and her mom died of pancreatic cancer. Those two cancers don’t nearly as much funding as breast cancer combined.
I guess I’m just getting overwhelmed by the entire thing. I understand that there is a unique community that has developed and is still continuing to grow. The awareness campaigns, the pink ribbon, the cancer walks and the many organizations involved play a large role in helping to develop this community. The benefits that are bestowed by this community are of great value, especially to those who belong to it.
I guess I’m just getting overwhelmed by all the marketing going on everywhere and on everything. Its like starting to see Rachel Ray’s face on every cover of practically every magazine. Except this is of a much greater benefit to society. It is not my intent to be mean, but I’ll be glad when this month is done.
I’m just philosophically opposed to 400 pound brutes with pink chin straps myself. Lombardi’s got to be rolling over in the grave.
Thank you for saying what has been on the minds of many lately. I am ALL FOR supporting breast cancer survivors; I know quite a few myself and they are lovely, fantastic, strong women. I still feel that all of the pink we are being inundated with is not helping make a difference in the true story of cancer.
Let’s not forget the various other types of cancer, either. I have lost three cousins to brain cancer, two of my uncles have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and my friend’s sister is a cervical cancer survivor. Why don’t those branches of the disease have “awareness campaigns” the size and style of breast cancer’s?
Great, great post. I admire those with the courage to write honestly about issues as sensitive as this one. Congrats on making Freshly Pressed :]
It did seem to me that the NF L was UNORGANIZED in the wearing of Pink to bring awareness to a tragic disease. But guess what we are all talking about it so it must have worked.
My recommendation. Be more organized. All pink socks or towels or chin straps or hats. But then NFL players each write out a HEFT check from your large salaries to help the cause.
Just sayin…
Since my mom died from breast cancer last Saturday and I picked up her ashes 2 hours ago I feel that I have a right to take issue with this article. You are right in saying that there is a lot of profiteering going on…But your are wrong to criticize breast cancer awareness being represented. You have no idea how much you offend me with your crappy article.
With each bit of awareness a snowball effect is created no matter how many rotten apples there are the effect creates momentum…How dare you try to impede that momentum just because you want to watch you game without a little pink. How selfish can one person be. I sincerely hope that you never have to watch one of your loved one’s die of this disease it is agonizing to watch.
So sorry for your loss…my heart goes out to you and your family.
As a person who lost his father to cancer, as well as have a mother who survived breast cancer, I choose to point people to the Folding@Home distributed computing project which uses collective computational power of home computers to analyze protein folding – effectively (hopefully) finding cures for cancer. It doesn’t cost anything to run, and easily assuages my guilt for ignoring football players with pink clothing.
http://folding.stanford.edu/
Oh boy! I need to watch more football…
I agree with your post on this one… how aware can we get? Charities have become corporations. I wrote an intense and passionate blog on this subject a while ago, and refuse to donate money to cancer “research” because I have seen so many loved ones suffer needlessly.
The truth is, cancer makes a lot of money. And it makes me very sad to think that little of that money goes towards PREVENTION, etc. And that injecting people with poisonous chemo is the only way to get rid of it in some cases…
With all the money everyone has donated over so many years, there couldn’t POSSIBLY be at least a LEAD to a cure? Or better, more effective treatment? I call bullshit. And I think they are all laughing at those good people trying hard to make a difference: running, biking, hiking, walking, and going crazy “for the cure”. Think about where your money goes. And take a look at the nutritional guidelines they give to parents of children undergoing cancer treatments…. fruit pie with cream, LOTS of milk, chocolate pudding….?? ridiculous! Thank you Nestle, and Dairy Farmers of Canada/USA. For keeping our children “healthy”.
I feel most upset for all of those who are just trying to make the world better and have no CLUE what is really going on.
Actually, a bunch of money goes to finding cures. There is a great video from a Relay for Life team in Canada.
At 3:58, it outlines what one research project would cost. And a lot of these studies are never going to work- this isn’t a slam to the scientists, this is just how it works in the science world.
If you mean prevention as in not having anyone get cancer in the first place, it doesn’t work that way. Yes, lung cancer can be caused by smoking and skin cancer can be caused by overexposure to UV rays, but many cancers just happen. One day your cells are working perfectly, and the next thing you know there is a genetic mutation and your cancerous cell is reprouducing uncontrollably.
It’s a shame there is no cure, but scientists are working hard.
Great post! It’s great to see a somewhat controversial topic done so nicely!
I wholeheartedly agree that sometimes American consumerism just gets in the way of what really matters whether it be our health or even our happiness.
Thanks for posting this and I admire your honesty–and bravery. You’re right that it’s nothing but a hypocritical marketing move on the part of the NFL.
I don’t really mind it. It wasn’t even the NFL’s idea. It was one of their players’. DeAngelo Williams, who lost three aunts to the disease and whose mother was a recent breast cancer survivor, had to CONVINCE the league to allow players to wear pink cleats because of their strict dress code policy.
They’ve even set up a website where you can find out ways to reduce your risk, as well as schedule a mammogram for yourself or a loved one.
http://www.nfl.com/pink
So, although I do agree that there are some companies who use and abuse the color pink to sell products, I don’t think the NFL falls into that category. I think they’ve gone about it as sincerely as they can.
100% of the money raised by the sales of pink NFL apparel and auctioning of game worn gear goes to the American Cancer Society. They’ve also sponsored several Race for the Cure events and started a “Text to Give” campaign for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, each text is a $10 donation.
It’s not like they just go out, wear pink for some games, and call it a day.
Glad you brought that up because that seems to be a focal point of why the NFL was singled out in this post.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. HPV is one of the easiest transmitted STD’s, most people are unaware about, there is only one vaccine and if left untreated, it can cause cervical cancer. 250,000 women die globally from this cancer because most women don’t get pap smears done annually. Heart disease kills more women a year than any other disease. Don’t hear much about Heart Awareness at the Super Bowl, do we? The Susan G. Komen for the Cure, has a policy of offering financial support to abortion providing facilities, so not even all of the money goes to breast cancer research it’s to support “planned parenthood” and pay for abortions. So they promote saving lives with the NFL and yet they take them behind the scenes. Nice point. It’s just a profit maker.
It may seem like marketing, but they are not out to make a profit. Yes they want money, but not just so they can stuff it in their bank; they want all women to be aware of this risk and do something about it. My family has had numerous dicussions about why breast cancer has more “publicity” than other diseases. At first, I was befuddled as to why this is, but now I don’t care. These supporters seem to work harder than any other organization to raise money and awareness. If they can get the NFL to endorse their cause, then I say bravo to them!
BTW, the only reason MOST of the men support the awareness is because of the fact they’d be losing something they value dear. Look at the shirts they wear, it says it all “Save the Ta-Ta’s.” “I Love Boobies.” Genuine care, there. Not saying all men are like that, but alot of them are.
Apart from the obvious oddity that specifically breast cancer is prioritized (possibly because of the symbolic value for women?), this type of over-focus is wasteful due to the diminishing returns:
Few who are not aware after an “awareness week” will be so after an “awareness month” (to illustrate the principle, the exact details may vary). Raise awareness for one disease to a certain reasonably cost-effective point—and then switch to raising awareness for the next: Heart disease, diabetes, lung cancer, …—and the oft-ignored prostate cancer.
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Hmm, lots of interesting arguments in these comments. It’s great to see discussion on this topic – and I would have to agree with different arguments from each party.
Certainly, breast cancer awareness is important to encourage women to give themselves breast exams and get mammograms, etc, but I also can see that the pink campaign in the NFL seems to be a giant marketing gimmick.
Why don’t they wear themed uniforms for any other awareness-themed month? Why is it that they are focusing on Breast Cancer awareness? Because that is what’s trending. It’s the same reason why companies are touting their “green” and “organic” merchandise – because it’s the thing to do right now, and it will cast those companies in a better light, thus leading consumers to stick with brands that are supporting the “right causes.” I suppose it’s convenient that charities and environmental awareness are trending in marketing right now, but it’s frustrating when businesses or individuals donate for the wrong reasons (though to many, a buck is a buck).
So, yes, the NFL’s Breast Cancer awareness campaign has helped raise money for research, and may encourage women to get mammograms, but is the basis for this campaign really to raise awareness, or is the NFL exploiting the cause to bring in more sales and to create more loyal customers for their brand?
And if they are exploiting the cause, should we even care – as long as it’s raising the money and the awareness?
The NFL actually does a greet job of giving to the cause, but I think the purpose of the post was to say that companies are actually profiting from “giving to the cause” Companies can also just say “buy this product and it will promote breast cancer awareness.” but no money goes anywhere. They get away with this because their reasoning is that just “seeing the pink” will make women “aware” and they might go get a mammogram. (Rebok sneakers were guilty of this)
Great, but people are tricked into thinking that their purchase is giving money somewhere.
It’s the deceit of advertising and using cancer in that deceit just makes it all the more slimey
hella true i was thinking that at the raiders game. i guess they tryin
Yeah, I think everyone brings a lot of valid positions to this and as last one said, even if NFL is exploiting for marketing purposes —so what as long as good comes of it. The flip side of that is — and this has been touched on some — those who feel so passionately about prostate or brain or other cancers or diseases must feel somewhat diminished or frustrated that NFL woulc give so much attention to this one terrible cancer. Any cancer is terrible and very terrible, and I can see how someone indeed would feel diminished by what truly is a marketing campaign, at least to some extent. If I were king of NFL I’d have an awareness campaign of some kind maybe every week of the season, and would do it more tastefully than plastering pink all over players BTW. This is really overdone as promotions go and people tune in to watch football, not to ahve pink awareness blasted at them no matter how empathetic or sympathetic they may genuinely be. I feel terrible for people who suffer or whose loved ones suffer from any insidious disease of which there are many and to me the pink plastering is just bad form, NFL.
Agreed totally. And isn’t anything immune from blatant nannyisms? Is nothing sacred anymore?? I wrote to the NFL about how silly and emasculating it is to have big macho footballer wearing sissifying pink anywhere on their bodies. Are tu-tus and slippers next?
I don’t necessarily agree that it’s emasculating… I think that the image of an NLF player is and always has been so “macho” and “manly” that it’s refreshing to see that there are plenty of man’s-men who aren’t afraid to wear pink. It’s less us vs them, more “we’re all in this together” =)
Frankly, I find this NFL awareness campaign a refreshing change from all the marketing and commercials that treat women’s breasts as sex objects for men.
If not sex objects (other than for infant feeding), what other function do breast’s serve?
As a breast cancer survivor, I too am tired of pink overload. I am thankful to be alive, but the rigors of chemotherapy and radiation have caused a variety of health problems that have robbed me of so muchy. I wasn’t told that if I’d have had a mastectomy that the chemo and radiation could have been skipped. Maybe we need more public education in the area of choices. My health is gone and I have a breast with a huge dent in it. Oh well.
We have too many scams today. Look at the 9/11 survivors, New Orleans and Haiti. I donated money to those causes and would like to know where it has gone. Today in Chile 33 men were rescued from the underground mine. Would the leaders of the USA have reacted the same and forged ahead with the same determination and dedication to keep on going? That’s a bit off topic, but something is wrong here. I have a box filled with pink ribbons and other cancer survivor things people have given me. It makes me feel embarassed to be part of something that is a money maker. I think the NFL should stick to football period. I love football and want to enjoy every game without being reminded that somewhere, someone is taking heart-felt donations and using them for their own personal gain.
Good post… thanks for bringing it up.
Phyllis
[...] Today’s Reading: Thanks, NFL; I’m Now Aware of Breast Cancer :: The Unpersons — Because I had this EXACT … [...]
Ahhhh I had this exact same thought, thank you for articulating it so nicely!! Not that I don’t love pink shoes, but the whole “awareness” thing is ridiculous because there is NO ONE who isn’t aware of breast cancer. Not to mention, how much of the money that people donate to “the cause” ends up going toward producing pink shoes, towels, arm bands, gloves, mouth guards, and undies for NFL players instead of toward research?
I’m sick of breast cancer awareness in general. Breast cancer isn’t the only cancer that affects PEOPLE. Men get it too, and prostate cancer which is the second most prominent cancer in America. Women can’t get prostate cancer last time I checked. I’m sorry ladies but as a man; my balls will always mean much much more to me than your breast. My balls are with me all the time, hangin in there like little troopers. I am aware that prostate cancer isn’t testicular cancer but that’s another men only cancer. Come up with some commercials for testicular and prostate cancer and promote awareness for them. This blog is complaining about getting attention for a life threatening illness. That is good old fashioned American logic. I would go write a blog post about something else commercialized for a good cause but I’m writing this instead. Think about it people cancer is a crappy thing to have no matter the form. Why not be aware of all of them and watch the damn game. Stop complaining about being distracted during your distractions and be happy sheep.
Well, at least men got on the bandwagon about breast cancer awareness, and while of course it won’t cure the disease, it could help raise money to fund research to cure the disease! And what better way to raise awareness than for pink to be put in front of the biggest audience ever!
We don’t need “awareness” events, about cancer or anything else. People are already “aware” of these things. “Awareness” activities mostly are just a way for people to convince themselves “they did something” they can “feel good about” when in fact they didn’t do anything.
The reason why the pink products even exist is because the American consumer likes to think he/she did something by putting little/no effort at all. By buying a product or wearing a pink ribbon/pink cleats/pink shoes/pink whatever, people get the feeling that they “did something” to help stop breast cancer without actually doing anything. This mentality frustrates me to no end.
Many of the “pink” products are only donating $0.01 – $0.05 per item, there is no minimum donation, and there is a cap on what the company will donate. Oh, and you have to mail in the UPC/cap/whatever, in which case the amount you pay in postage may actually be MORE than what the company would donate.
If you want to do something to help end breast cancer, fine. Donate money, run a marathon to raise money (not always a fan of the marathon idea, but at least it raises a decent chunk of change), go to school and study medicine / pharmacology, etc. Please don’t think that mailing in 5 lids from Yoplait, however, is going to turn the tide.
P.S. To those claiming that donating at least “helps fund breast cancer research”, note that, according to the Susan G. Komen foundation’s own records, it spends less on research ($98,548,445 in FY ’08) than it does on “education” ($134,194,870, including buying all the air time to tell you to donate).
Wow…you don’t know what your talking about but you sure can write a bunch of crap. They don’t do the research they fund the grants that give the scientist (usually at colleges) what they need. If you spent a little more time researching and a little less time spouting idiotic crap you might gain a little more appreciation for the things that make this world a little better place.
Walk a mile in my shoes if you want to see what they really did for my family.
That breakdown above isn’t saying Susan G. Komen does research — it says that Susan G. Komen gave $98,548,445 to do research. That said, again, the “education” fund seems significantly higher than what is needed.
If the Susan G Komen foundation dropped down their education funding and boosted their treatment and screening expenditures (which right now are under $60 mil, combined, less than half of what is spent on “education”), I think that would have a better long-term effect.
I’m not in any way diminishing the need for breast cancer research. Too many people (both women and men) still suffer and die from this disease. There are other cancers, however, that are not getting their fair share of research and education funds, because of the PR/marketing machine that is the pink ribbon.
2zpoint, I have two close family members currently recovering from cancer, one of whom we almost lost twice to the disease. I watched another one waste away from lung disease and another die from a series of strokes. Don’t think for a second I don’t know how much cancer can devastate a family. I just worry that the pink campaign could be doing so much more to bring an end to cancer and save lives if they changed priorities.
There IS a lot of marketing that goes onto breast cancer awareness… however, any awareness campaign, on any disease, is welcome in my book. Knowledge is power.
What additional knowledge did this add?
Couldn’t the expense have been spent on knowledge elsewhere?
I actually quite agree with you, because ads and campaigns CANNOT MAKE people or women not have breast cancer, because breast cancer is like fate – if you have it, you have it. It’s not like if you make these ads breast cancer is just going to disappear. My mom had breast cancer last year – and she suffered a whole lot. Before she had breast cancer she posted breast cancer awareness signs for the hospital – she was a volunteer. What do you know? She got it herself. It’s not like if you tell people to be aware, they will really listen to you. My mom didn’t even go to checkups before her cancer happened, and I think it’s extremely ironic. She found out her cancer by feeling her breast – it wasn’t even from a checkup. It was mere luck, and luck saved her.
Great post, come and check out mine.
alexinspires.wordpress.com
You seem a little bitter. I think, being the son a Breast Cancer survivor, that if they get just one person to say “You know, I should ask my doctor what I should do to try and prevent Breast Cancer.” then they have done a good thing.
One of my closest friends died of breast cancer. Another had a mastectomy. I know how important funding and research are. I participated in the first two 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walks in DC. That said, all the awareness and funding diverts attention from a much greater cancer killer of women, lung cancer. Lung cancer isn’t glamorous and we persist in believing that only people who smoke get lung cancer. The truth is otherwise. I have a close friend with Stage 4 lung cancer. Unfortunately, I am now well aware of a disease that is being ignored. Why can’t we wear a ribbon, etc that stands for all cancers?
[...] Unpersons blog raises an interesting point regarding the National Football League’s involvement with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, [...]
I wasn’t aware of breast cancer until my friends all started posting Facebook status updates about where they “like it.” After some googling I found out that we were talking about purses, and that this was to raise awareness of breast cancer. (I mean…obviously.)
Barbara Ehrenreich talked and wrote about how when she had breast cancer she wanted nothing to do with the color pink. It was kind of refreshing.
Looking at some of the above comments, I fear that many have a naive view on the topic. I ask these to bear in mind:
1. Every dollar spent on breast cancer is a dollar not spent on another disease—not a dollar rescued from someones mattress.
2. Breast cancer is not the totality of all diseases. In fact, it is a comparatively small part, the chances of survival are better than for many other cancers, and its a disease that predominantly hits only one sex. (Equality goes both ways and a man’s life should have the same value as a woman’s. Contrary to popular belief, there is a actually a clear bias in favour of women in medical research.) Further, there is nothing “magical” about breast cancer that makes it a natural main target for efforts.
3. The effectiveness of these campaigns is disputable and they are highly likely to be ineffecient: The money is not well spent, there are diminishing returns, people will eventually be fed up or unconsciously filter out the message, and other diseases deserve a chance.
4. This much campaigning causes undue worries and false alarms that may eventually do more harm than good.
What ultimately puzzles me: Why breast cancer? Why not cancer (in general)? Surely, the latter is a far worthier target. Surely, the impact of an advancement in the fight against cancer gives far better value (be it measured in lifes, dollars, or “quality of life”) for the money than an advancement specific to breast cancer does.
My only fear with Breast Cancer awareness campaigns tied to marketing is that eventually we will become complacent. The market is quickly becoming saturated with everyday household items “going pink”. I would hate for us a whole to lose the meaning behind the colour, especially when pink is no longer “in”.
Not to mention the amount of money that it costs to put on these hugely expensive campaigns and advertising. There is not a means of advertising that they don’t use. Save all that money for actual research, there are cheaper means to get your point across.
kudos to the person who came out with the idea.
[...] fast zum Event macht. Auch in den USA gibt es dazu durchaus kritische Stimmen, wie in diesem Blog hier. Aber, alles was hilft, ist [...]
Great blog! I am glad the NFL is acknowledging breast cancer awareness. It is an extremely poplular disease around the world. I have known people who have passed away from it. I truely hope that someday there will be a cure for cancer in general. My grandmother has cancer and it’s very sad to watch. But, fantastic blog. Keep up the good work!
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Idk if I agree with your post, I find the ribbon is merly a symbol to show ones support. Weather there is a cost or not and where the money goes its not really the point of the ribbon.
The ribbon just shows others how you feel and that you support those who have suffered through this cancer.
I do agree that there are other risk factors out there that don’t get as much attention but that is do to the fact know one has put any effort or was not successful in getting the word out for those factors.
http://www.quotesforfacebook.net supports breast cancer and will continue to do so.
When will the WNBA start wearing blue accessories to promote Prostate Cancer Awareness?
[...] This creates a situation where disliking the medium is confused with disliking the message, but this guy hits the nail on the head. Interestingly, a random check of five of the 60-odd "Breast Cancer [...]