Dysfunctional Cancer
Those who know me have most likely heard me speak about my concern and the “bad” feeling I get when surrounded by all things pink. You know…the pink skillets, toasters, and even hand guns!
This Sunday is the Susan G. Komen race for the cure in Seattle. I have participated in the past, as I am a 2-year breast cancer survivor. (Dang. It still grabs me when I say it.) I will not be participating this year. I know my lack of enthusiasm for the event seems a little odd even to me. I feel like I’m betraying the sisterhood.
I have come to realize I want a celebratory parade because fewer women are dying from breast cancer. A huge party and race for fun because fewer women are diagnosed with breast cancer. I am all in for a celebration of life and to be surrounded by so many amazing women moves me to tears. I am moved to tears for a different reason when I think of all the money that is donated and yet there has been very little improvement for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. Detecting cancer early is not preventing it. There needs to be more of a focus on prevention. There needs to be options for less invasive treatment.
Following my diagnosis, I found little support with any thinking outside of the standard treatment protocol. It’s as though I was immediately placed on the treatment-for-breast-cancer conveyer belt. I could barely wrap my brain around the concept of my having cancer and now I have to do what? And when? It needs to be acceptable to question cancer treatment. Why aren’t there more treatment centers like the ones found in Europe? Why? Why? Why? We should all be asking a lot of questions about where the billions of dollars that are donated each year are going. What’s with all the companies getting in on the pink brigade to make a few cents off of cancer? Please, think before you pink! Give the money to one of the local charity organizations that disperses the funds into the community for support and care of women with cancer.
I am so grateful to all of you who have been with me through my questioning and have listened to my complaints, concerns, and sometimes rants. I know its not always the best seat in the house.