Awareness Month

Today I received my first issue of Cure , a magazine with cancer updates, research and education. It's free to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. There was an interesting article debating the benefits and risks of what they call “chemoprevention” with tamoxifen–-the drug that continues to make me nauseated most mornings. The article suggests that while there may be better options for post-menopausal women, tamoxifen is still the standard for pre-menopausal women trying to reduce their risk of recurrence.

I cringed at receiving the magazine. It’s a regular reminder of the illness I would rather put behind me. This October, though, is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I am surrounded with reminders of the disease. It’s encouraging to see so much focus on awareness and early detection, and community support and fund raising through the various walks and charities. I’m not so sure though about the priority on "shopping pink.” One of the articles in Cure questions this phenomenon of “cause-related marketing.” In some cases, it may benefit the consumer, the vendor and the charity, but it also has inherent dangers of conflict of interest. A laudible and ironic article, considering the potential conflicts involved in a cancer research magazine full of drug advertisments.

Think Before You Pink--Breast Cancer Action urges folks to ask some critical questions before opening their wallets for these marketing campaigns: How much money goes to the cause? What is it supporting? How is it being raised? And will it truly affect the fight against breast cancer? They suggest that what the breast cancer movement needs is political involvement and action to create real change.

They cite concerns such as Estee Lauder’s sale of lipstick, but their refusal to avoid a class of chemicals, parabens, linked to breast cancer, and Yoplait yogurt's Save Lids campaign. An increasing concern to consumers, many cows are given rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) which recent studies link with an increased risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. That's why the experts in Boston suggested I only use organic dairy products.

So this October, I'm trying to become more aware of all the issues involved.