Every year, millions of dollars are spent on items that are "pink," representing the pink ribbon that is associated with breast cancer. In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone wants to get on board with having their products pink. It's as if buying pink products will actually help find a cure for breast cancer. When it first began, I'm sure that was the intention. But now, looking at statistics, we see that this "awareness" has not led to a decrease in breast cancer or finding a cure. While everyone is personally aware of breast cancer, it seems that awareness is just not enough.
Many women with breast cancer feel that "pinkwashing" is taking advantage of their illness. A variety of products that carry the pink ribbon actually contain ingredients that are known carcinogens. While these companies consider themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer, they continue to use ingredients in their products that contribute to cancer.
Breast Cancer Action is a national education and activist organization whose mission is to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer. Karuna Jaggar, executive director of Breast Cancer Action, says:
"Pinkwashing has become a central component of the breast cancer industry: a web of relationships and financial arrangements between corporations that cause cancer, companies making billions off diagnosis and treatment, nonprofits seeking to support patients or even to cure cancer, and public relations agencies that divert attention from the root causes of disease."
The quote above definitely makes us pause and take a real look at the "pinkwashing" façade. As women, we must open our eyes and move awareness into action. We must be vigilant--continually searching for answers and guidelines to use in living a healthy life. If we fight on the front end and concentrate on prevention, our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, and friends will eventually be able to live a life free from the stress, pain, and loss due to breast cancer.
Jamie Kiffel-Alchec, managing editor of Clean Plates, suggests adding 8 naturally pink foods to the diet to help fight breast cancer (http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/8-pink-foods-fight-breast-cancer-1).
Many women with breast cancer feel that "pinkwashing" is taking advantage of their illness. A variety of products that carry the pink ribbon actually contain ingredients that are known carcinogens. While these companies consider themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer, they continue to use ingredients in their products that contribute to cancer.
Breast Cancer Action is a national education and activist organization whose mission is to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer. Karuna Jaggar, executive director of Breast Cancer Action, says:
"Pinkwashing has become a central component of the breast cancer industry: a web of relationships and financial arrangements between corporations that cause cancer, companies making billions off diagnosis and treatment, nonprofits seeking to support patients or even to cure cancer, and public relations agencies that divert attention from the root causes of disease."
The quote above definitely makes us pause and take a real look at the "pinkwashing" façade. As women, we must open our eyes and move awareness into action. We must be vigilant--continually searching for answers and guidelines to use in living a healthy life. If we fight on the front end and concentrate on prevention, our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, and friends will eventually be able to live a life free from the stress, pain, and loss due to breast cancer.
Jamie Kiffel-Alchec, managing editor of Clean Plates, suggests adding 8 naturally pink foods to the diet to help fight breast cancer (http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/8-pink-foods-fight-breast-cancer-1).
| Red Cabbage Pomegranates Beets | Radishes Carrots (yes, they come in several colors) | Apples Sweet Potatoes Grapes |
Breast Thermography: A big step toward early detection and prevention of breast cancer
Visit our website at www.memphisthermography.com or call (901) 249-8642
Don’t miss out on our Breast Package Special!
(extended through the end of November)
Visit our website at www.memphisthermography.com or call (901) 249-8642
Don’t miss out on our Breast Package Special!
(extended through the end of November)
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