"Commercializing Cancer"
I’m aware I have breast cancer. I don’t need to be bombarded with pink ribbons and products. Previously, I had actually liked the color, but not now since pink is spewed everywhere. Evidently some people like to be reminded that they had (or have) cancer. I’m not judging; I’m just not one of them! A profusion of products have advertisements telling me their shirts, mugs, and hats honor me, the breast cancer fighter. Do they really?
I don’t feel honored. I feel disheartened that breast cancer is trivialized by cutesy pink products such as fluffy key chain fobs. I feel disturbed that some merchandise appears to sexualize a malignant disease with shirts like: “Save 2nd Base.” With cancer being an epidemic, one would think shirts would read, “Save the Woman” instead. Many of us had to have a mastectomy to fight for our lives. Sexual innuendos reduce us to one body part.
There must be a line (somewhere) between recognizing the courage of a cancer patient and celebrating a dreaded disease. My line is drawn far before a Vans’ brand of sneakers covered in colorful sketches of bare-breasted women, some with mastectomy scars. Would others with appendix or caesarian scars like to see images of those on their shoes? The line is called, “Breast Cancer Awareness.” My breasts are very adept at making me aware. I don’t require shoes for that. If others think this type of merchandising seems normal, then I would ask them to imagine a campaign for testicular cancer with comparable purple products.
Printing a T-Shirt with “Cancer Sucks” or similar yet more vulgar phrases is probably intended as an attack on the disease. However, to me it functions as a blatant reminder of what I want to forget. I don’t understand how wristbands with the words “I Love Boobies” or “Save the Ta-tas” are helpful. I see high school boys enjoy sporting them, which should tell us all something.
It seems breast cancer gets all the attention. I can only conjecture why. My heartbreaking cancer is not sexy or a topic suitable for crude jokes. If bracelets are beneficial for reducing cancer risks, then why don’t we see them making us aware of colon cancer? A pink butt shape could be embossed on silicone with the words, “I Love Booties,” or “Save the Fanny.” If those wristbands would not be helpful, then the same reasoning applies to breast cancer ones.
I certainly do not want phrases about cancer emblazoned on my clothing as part of my identity. Cancer does not define me. The same type of thinking applies to other accessories. Usually, people who go on to college quit wearing their high school class ring. As they grow and change, they proudly choose to wear their college sweatshirt. Likewise, I don’t want to keep wearing an emblem of cancer. What response does the wearer anticipate when her clothing directs attention to a malignant disease? Does she expect respect or sympathy; or is she simply hoping to remind random passersby to get a mammogram?
Personally, I don’t prefer to be a walking billboard for something I despise. Oh, but don’t these products raise money for cancer research? Research for yourself the financial records of organizations selling cancer-related products. Some major non-profits donate only a tiny percentage of what they raise to research. One organization’s Form 990 filing shows that out of half a million raised, just under $7,000 went to breast cancer awards and grants! [1] Other funds were spent on travel expenses, office expenses and T-shirts. So, are they helping me or helping themselves?
One company claims their merchandise helps patients “express themselves.” Of course, if that’s how some view buying pink trinkets, that is their choice. I don’t want to be a participant in the marketing of breast cancer with its dubious donations to cancer prevention. One cancer survivor shared she is puzzled why her friends think it’s a good idea to give her pink products. She said, “I am more than cancer.” On her recent birthday, two friends bought her items with pink ribbons. She told me she thanked the givers, assumed their intent was kind, and later tossed them in the trash.
I know opinions widely differ because a lady in my support group proudly showed us a photo of her Christmas tree. You guessed it. The tree, itself, was pink to the core, decorated with pink ornaments! Is it just me? I recoil at the idea of inviting cancer to be part of a Christmas celebration or any holiday. In fact, I don’t want cancer included in any of my days!
[1] https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/i-love-wristbands-donations-questioned/1879812/
Reflection:
1. Do you enjoy buying and receiving products with breast cancer slogans?
2. If you do like clothing with slogans about breast cancer, why?