This year October as breast cancer awareness month seems a bit off post peak tired. It s been like this for a while now waning over years. As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) ages it may appear unnecessary as in no longer useful unwanted old.
And I suppose it awareness has become that dated. It no longer seems fresh (even with pink make up). Rather it comes on like a mediocre advertisement over played. A has been.
For those of us who advocate for the cause as I see it the need for more breast cancer research and better care for all affected a calendar based theme feels gimmicky and commercial even manipulative. At best it s useful for fundraising. In some parts of the world including a few U.S. communities where believe it or not stigma about having cancer persists NBCAM may lead a few women who are hesitant to seek care for breast tumors to go and get it.
The fact is we re saturated bombarded blasted with cancer news and often conflicting information at that. For many people grappling with a serious disease year round the notion of promoting awareness for one month and labeling it pink verges on absurdity (or crosses that line). But not everyone feels that way. For some cheerful walks and other activities provide an opportunity to find camaraderie and demonstrate support for those affected.
Patients have different preferences and needs advocates have different styles and priorities. The issue about October is that for all the genuine enthusiasm and generally good intentions NBCAM brings together at some levels an uplifting vibe runs counter to the devastating nature of malignancy.
The North Portico exterior of the White House is illuminated pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Oct. 1 2012 (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)
But patients need support and researchers need funds. I do think we at a community level still benefit from an occasional reminder that breast cancer is not a solved problem that it s not gone nor cured or a condition to ignore. Rather each year 40 000 people in the United States mainly but not exclusively women and over 520 000 people worldwide die from breast cancer.
Today s message of awareness might adjust to the date 2014 and shift focus
Emphasize the unmet needs of people living with metastatic breast cancer. They whose number goes untallied even in the U.S. go about their lives with an incurable condition they receive treatment until death. It s not pretty. Far from it.
Point to critical areas for research including these breast cancer s causes that it might be prevented metastases that those might be prevented too or better managed when and if they do arise better more effective and less harmful treatments for all molecular subtypes of the disease improvements in pathology (diagnostics) so that patients with slow or minimal tumors can safely avoid overtreatment.
Know that patients have options and should be informed of those and able to ask questions of their physicians. The best medical care happens when patients participate in decisions about their care when they re educated and can enter the doctor s office or clinic with a reasonable understanding of their condition and choices.
Recognize that the world is disease ridden. Awareness demands perspective including the fact that breast cancer is one of many illnesses from which all kinds of people suffer and some die. Cancers do not enter contests of severity or merit. More generally there is no international tournament of sicknesses. Each condition every person deserves good medical care provided respectfully and with access to pain medication if needed.
Be aware of the day even cloudy ones like this. Time is precious. Value what you ve got.
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