Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Breast Cancer Awareness Games

I really do try to stay positive about things like breast cancer awareness, but for some reason these games disturb me. If you're a women and have a Facebook account, chances are you know what I'm talking about. Once again, my inbox has been bombarded with silly requests in "support of breast cancer awareness". Here is this year's game:
 Ok ladies it's that time of year again, in support of breast cancer awareness!! So we all remember last years game of writing a color as your status?.....or the way we like to have our handbag handy? Well this year, it's slightly different. You need to write your shoe size,( just the number) followed by the word 'inches' and how long it takes to do your hair... Remember last year so many people took part it made national news and, the constant updating of status reminded everyone why we're doing this and helped raise awareness!! Do NOT tell any males what the status' mean, keep them guessing!! And please copy and paste (in a message )this to all your female friends to see if we can make a bigger fuss this year than last year!!! I did my part... now YOUR turn ! Go on ladies...and let's have all the men guessing!!..........

Now...where do I begin? First off, how exactly does sharing my shoe size and how long it takes to do my hair make anyone aware that according to breastcancer.org:
"About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime."
or that:
 "For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer."
Now, lets talk about keeping the men guessing. Believe it or not, MEN can get breast cancer as well!
"About 2,140 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in men in 2011. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000."
If you are trying to spread awareness, why would you hide something so important from someone who also could be affected?  Not to mention the fact that many men are supporting women who have breast cancer, my hubby included! If it were not for him, I am not sure I could have gotten through the last year.

Previously the game asked that you state your bra color. That request is quite insensitive given that fact that so many women with breast cancer no longer have need for a bra because they no longer have BREASTS! 

No, I don't see women rushing to the phone to schedule a mammogram after participating in one of these "games". So, if you truly want to spread awareness, educate yourself and share facts, not your shoe size.


8 comments:

  1. I get what you are saying Sandy and I never thought about it like that. I did share my bra color a few years ago but after that I thought the games were getting silly but I never thought about the insensitivity part of it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. {{Hugs}}

    p.s. I got my mammogram a week and a half ago, not because of the games but because my doctor ordered it. I am...gulp...41;)

    p.p.s. How are you doing?

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    1. So glad to hear that you got your mammogram! I had mine this week and it looked great, although it hurt a lot more than normal because I am just getting feeling back in that area. It's super sensitive. Other than that, I feel fantastic!!!

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    2. Yay! Glad yours look great! I though mine hurt when they were trying to get a different angle. I felt like they were trying to break my clavicle. Can't imagine how it feels after what you have been through.

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  2. Thank you. Though not personally, I have been impacted by breast cancer as it has affected people in my life. And I completely agree. I don't find these games to be much of anything. I wasn't on FB when the first few came about but I know the first one people were all excited and it stirred up a lot of WHAT? with innuendos, etc. I think your point makes more sense. To impact and spread the word, actually WRITE something ABOUT breast cancer awareness, how abou that?

    I am glad you're doing well, girl! (hugs) and thanks for sharing!

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  3. Just posted this on fb- love it!

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