After reading all the posts tonight, I can put it in a nutshell:

NO ONE is minimizing breast cancer, folks.

It's just that we are sick and tired of the PINK RIBBONS on everything!!!

“Everyone has been guilt-tripped into buying pink things. If shopping could cure breast cancer it would be cured by now.”  You just now figured this out?  

Same goes for "buying green".  It is also another marketing angle that has nothing to with the environment, and much that is labeled as "green" may actually harm the environment.

And this marketing BS gives guilted people the "satisfaction" that they are "supporting the cause" without making any real contribution, either financially or lifting a finger. Very sad and very damaging for the cause.   But hey, the companies profit.

I have raised funds for critically needed nonprofits for several dcecades.  I would never sell-out our organizations' missions to this type of "fundraising".

I can't believe this article!  I was just commenting to my husband tonight how so many things are advertising breast cancer awareness.  Our governor's mansion (in Louisiana) will be lit with pink lights outside this month.  Everywhere you look, there are pink ribbons.  I think the intention of the public is great.  But I can't help but wonder why there aren't more advocates for other types of cancer.  My theories range from the ideas suggested in this article (marketing greed) to hedonistic agendas.  It's so odd to see an article about this just an hour or so after we discussed it.  Glad to know I'm not the only one who has noticed it.

...Honestly this article is one I would have to agree with. Like the Awareness month stuff, the idea is good however, how it is played out not so much. Reason I  don't buy Pink often, is because some of it will go to the company and some will go the actual fund, but not all of it. Also because in general, I just don't like the color pink all that much to begin with...never had as a kid and still don't.. so yea. To me it just looks way too girly girl and I'm not all that scene to begin with. What would be interesting is what would happen if they changed the color  to something like say, blue or a slightly darker shade of pink. The tint of pink they use now just makes it look superficial, and peppy ( not to say that is a bad thing, cuz it's not), but it gives off a head-in-the-clouds feel and calmness due to the fact it's a warm color. Whereas a darker hue, like blue it would have the effect of being taken seriously than with a cheerier and playful girly girl vibe that is given off  by the color pink. Plus I agree on the point  that it's ridiculous to right off the bat, search for a cure, when most of what is known about  breast cancer is limited still and unknown. By saying that we will find a cure to begin with, is a good start. But how this will come about differs, see in order to even begin to find a cure, obiviously one needs to know the sources of where it is coming from in order to treat those areas and/or change them, like the bovine growth hormone was in  for a time in Yoplait Yogurt, until and here's the climax, somebody brought it to their attention to think, "Wait a minute" and took steps for Yoplait Yogurt to be hormone free. See it actually takes people to raise concerns and take steps to change the situations that are risks is what I think this article is getting at than it is just some Person who doesn't like it. It takes  committed people willing to put in the time and effort to further areas where it is known to increase breast cancer and make a change, Not just money.

P.S CurmudgeonToo: And 50,000 people die a year from a seizure caused by epilepsy...and that 1 out of 10 people will experience a seizure at some point of their life. But here's the difference, one really can't do anything about except take meds, have a  and live a life of careful supervision have an implant that on LESSENS THE SEVERITY of seizures but doesn't fully get rid of it., It can't be prevented through the choices we make, that scientific evidence has shown so far.  These Seizures can come in many different forms from little to no physical movement while having one, to one that is full body movement and blockage of air   due to nerves in  throat  muscles I presume, being over loaded, making the muscle involuntary move while possibly being unconscious. Babies even die from seizures and toddlers as well as adults and teens, but no one knows why these seizures come about, or why they are at times fatal.

I know all this stuff about epilepsy and seizures, because when I was 5, during the winter that year I had a  type of seizure that lasted for a total of 1hour and 45mins...Seizures that last longer than 15mins are considered to be  life threatening if they are Tonic -Clonics or any other type that involve physical movement. I really havent been told what I specifically had, but I do know from what the doctors told me,  the seizure had gone through my entire brain starting from the back to front of my brain. For the total time this seizure took place it might be, from looking up information on seizure types in the past  have been a staticus Epliticus (you'd have to look it up to find the correct spelling and wordage), which basically is a series of seizures in sequence at one point in time. I know I regained consciousness for at least twice for about a min and then went back into an unconscious state again.

However the doctors themselves weren't sure I was going to come out of it..... and recover. I did however in a matter of three days and was diagnosed for 5 years with epilepsy, until I had are series of EEG's results come back to showing normal brain wave activity...but then I was rediagnosed with GAD and Aspergers ....talk about thinking it was all over. This all took place before I turned 12 too....  So yea.

Let's get some things straight.

More women die from ling cancer that do from brests cancer.

Breast cancer received vast money from CDC last year, lung cancer got $0

All cancers deserve to be funded for reasearch,  The "Pink" campaign is just a marketing gimmick.

Cancer is Cancer ... it doesn't care where it starts.  It ends up everywhere.  I know ... my liver

is being replaced by a tumor as we speak.  

We need more focus on "Breath Cancer" and more money to fight it.

I have been thinking of the comments that were made in text of this article.  Eight years ago, on September 24, 2001, I lost my mom to this deadly disease therefore MY life has PERSONALLY been affected by breast cancer. Thus, I eat, drink, breathe, and live PINK!  I will not quit my way of thinking regardless of who endorses what product.  I will continue to ENCOURAGE people to purchase and purchase pink products and honestly I am shocked that more companies do not support the cause.  Breast cancer is worthy of the WORLD going PINK.  

I also believe that cancers including, but not limited to prostate, ovarian, esophageal, stomach, liver, lung, spine, bone, brain (all of which have afflicted someone I know and love), etc, should be equally recognized.  

The world today is all about “me” but more often than not I tend to worry about “you” before I do “me”.  I am constantly finding myself in the middle of a cause and loving every minute of it.  

Don’t get me wrong it is not just finding a cure of cancer that I believe in, however it has taken more of my loved ones than anything else out there.  I believe that every cause should receive its fair share of awareness.  Because without awareness we would not become aware of  a cause we didn’t know existed nor would we make strides in finding a cure to the causes.

I really wish those who are sick of hearing about and seeing pink every where would not feel this way. Until you or someone you are very close to is diagnosed with cancer you will never know what it feels like to hear the word and be told. I am 19 years old and was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. I never thought this was going to be me. Awareness is truly the key to getting people to be aware of the signs and symptoms. You may be sick of seeing Pick items and cancer symbols every where but do you know how many lives this has saved? So next time you see a Pink item or an awareness bulletin think of how many lives that is saving instead of being annoyed with it!!! BE GRATEFUL IT IS NOT YOU!!!!!!!

I forgot to mention that last year a 33 yr old friend died of cancer that started with stage IV breast cancer, my Mom, Aunt, two uncles and Grandfather died  in recent yrs of lung cancer, my brother survived kidney cancer, a friend's husband is barely surviving from brain cancer, his Father died of a different type of brain cancer, her Mother & brother died of colon cancer, a nine yr old little girl of a friend was eaten up with & died two yrs ago of cancer, I was diagnosed & survived from stage II breast cancer Oct 2008, a friend Nov 2008 breast cancer and another friend Dec 2008 Ovarian cancer. I could go on and on with others I know, have known or are acquainted with. That's why I say it's not "if" you get Cancer, it's when you get it what kind will you have?! You wouldn't believe how many people you in Oncology taking Chemo & radiation! It is unbelievable & you would never realize it until you or someone you accompany goes through it!  It's time consuming, draining physically, mentally & financially for the "victim" as well as the family! I never knew until I went through it myself and I did very well compared to sooo many still "struggling" & "fighting" the battle. Pray and fight for the cause of Cancer to be known and a vaccine to be available so others won't get it!

Posted By: diehardconservative (October 13, 2009 at 9:40 PM)

you know what? u people make me sick because they are saving LIVES! what does God want you to do? keep them dying or find a cure?

-----------------------------------------------

Of COURSE you are!!!!!!!!!  

Diehard conservative that is!

I hate to sound callous, but I for one am sick of seeing pink ribbons on everything.

The last straw was when I saw t shirts and tote bags in a nursing uniform catalog that say "Save the Ta Ta's"  on them.

Really, now.

I have a family member who works in an oncology department of a local hospital.  She refuses to wear or support the 'pink' ribbon - or any other color for that matter - because ALL cancer sucks and one should not be elevated above the others.

I am so glad someone finally brought attention to this! ALL CANCER IS DEVASTATING. In my family, cancer is a four letter word because of all the heartache we have endured losing loved ones to this awful disease. ALL Fundraising monies for cancer should go to the American Cancer Society & not be focused on just one type of cancer. This is about ALL CANCERS needing monetary funds for assistance & research. Unfortunately, now it is also definitely about corporate greed interferring. How sad that the death of our loved ones is being capitalized on by corporate avarice! Corporate greed is very ofter found where attention is trying to be diverted from corruption.

Carma is a beautiful thing. all disease is trajic & life changing; LOVE, HUMAN COMPASSION & EMPATHY are the main necessity of life that is scarcely missing in our lives today. If it were in abundance, everything else would fall into place peacefully. We are all equal; we should live our lives like we are.

If you choose to have the pink ribbon on your products to promote and financially support researce then that is wonderful but you should give a generous portion of the proceeds to the cause and not sit on your fat wallets thinking your concious is clear because you gave "2 cents"

Most of what I buy does have a pink ribbon on it and no one close to me or in my family has or has had breast cancer. I buy them because I need it and if it sends money to help save a life without increasing its normal day to day cost then  I see no problem in having it.

As for people who have or are suffering from other types of cancer who feel that they should have the same type of recognition as breast cancer and funding I would have to agree but instead of complaining about it why not go out and do something about it? Breast cancer has its recognition because of men and women fighting to get it. There should be just one foundation with 0% profit that uses all of its funding to research all types of cancers and develop cures but unfortunately we don't live in that type of wonderful world. Until then fight Fight FIGHT for what is right and have your voices heard. Sign petitions, go door to door. EVERYONE has been affected by cancer so EVERYONE should fight for the cure. Perhaps the pink ribbon should be half pink and half blue and stand for men and women and not a single body part.

I've always loved the colour pink, with and without a meaning associated with the colour.  I would swoop in and buy the normal things my family and I consume or use and if it had an attached pink ribbon symbol, the more the better.   My mother-in-law is an 11-year breast cancer survivor. My mother has not been diagnosed with the disease, but we came close to that feeling when she had a lump removed and biopsied four years ago, that was thankfully cancer-free.  When I buy these products, I am really removed from the stance they are trying to send us consumers. I'm sure $0.02 cents or more goes to an organisation that helps fund programs, be whatever they are (research, support, treatment), but I mainly buy the pink because of the association with actual members of my family who had or came close to breast cancer.  For some reason, buying something with the little pink ribbon is a visceral reminder of those who have, had, or lost their lives with cancer and it makes me every bit more appreciative of how far we have come medically in getting support and attention of this issue to the forefront.  It wasn't so long ago that the issue was a secret underground one because of the visualized sexual associated of a woman's breasts.  We should be lucky that, in my day and age (30), women like myself have access to all that is out there in support of breast cancer.

Yes, it is a marketing tool, that puts breast cancer to the forefront of other cancers that are just as severe, like ovarian cancer (sporting the purple ribbon), but nonetheless the effect is genuine and generous.  Companies DON'T have to partake and you as a consumer do not have to buy.  I think it is best to remain optimistic and let us not focus on these trivialities, but on the more serious message of one day finding a vaccine or a cure to eradicate all cancers.

Then we can start on the wave of autism funding and research. (Speaking as a mother of an autistic child.)

As a Stage 4 kidney cancer patient I understand that we need research money to find a cure for this disease.  However Breast Cancer gets the largest donations for research, ask any oncologist.  My type of cancer get very little funding.  So instead of having a pink campaign, there should be a PURPLE campaign which is for universal cancer and the money should be shared equally for all cancer research.  

Three years ago I was told that I only had five years to live, as my cancer has metastasized to other organs.  My teenage age child is having to live with the fact that I may only be around for another few years.

To "Trekkie62", I agree women are dying everyday from Breast Cancer but there are MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN DYING DAILY FROM ALL TYPES OF CANCER.   So to make the comment that some women are wondering, "will I see my kids grow up?"  Yes this is a tragedy, but what about the parents of a young cancer patient, who wonder if they will ever see their child grow up or have a family?  Or myself, will I get to see my child graduate college, fall in love, get married and have children?  

To "Ohiogirl509", I also do not buy "Pink Ribbon" products because of the discrimination.  SO TO ALL OF THESE COMPANIES, SPORTS FIGURES, ORGANIZED FUNDRAISERS AND OTHERS, PLEASE CHANGE THIS CAMPAIGN FROM PINK TO PURPLE.  

IF YOU WISH TO DYE YOUR HAIR OR WEAR A COLOR, PLEASE MAKE IT PURPLE TO HELP ALL CANCER PATIENTS.   Thank you.

+++++

I have never had breast cancer, nor have any of my immediate family members. I did know someone, casually, who had it, fought & went through absolute h*ll, only to lose that fight last year. I guess there would be a lot of opinions regarding this article, but mine is just that I am pretty shocked to know that someone believes there is "too much" of a push on cancer awareness. You're kidding, right? And I agree with Tempnewsweeker....it would be nice to see MORE of an awareness push on the other cancers lurking out there.

No form of cancer is a good thing obviously and I think they should all be represented but the reason for all the pink in Ocotber for breast cancer awareness took along time coming from a group of people who pushes and campaigns for it. All types of cancer awareness groups can do the same think with the same result. Just goes to show women don't give up. My mother had breast cancer and is a 6 year survivor. I will always support breast cancer and if looking at pink the month of Ocotber gets the point across so be it.I personally worked with breast cancer patients and I know that some of all that money collected does help.

I have had several family members and friends who have suffered from various types of cancers.  Several of them have died, including my mother, her mother (who I never had the chance to know), two aunts, a beloved cousin and a best friend.  Another dear friend, who has survived breast cancer, is dealing with her husband's esophogeal cancer at the moment.  It is a horrendous disease that has probably affected every one of us either through having the disease ourselves or dealing with it in someone we love.  I think the efforts for breast cancer are wonderful, but I keep thinking about people dying of all the other kinds of cancer and wonder why we aren't fighting for a cure for the disease in general and for assisting ALL of the people who have this disease.  So I do find myself resenting some of the things done for breast cancer.  I want these efforts to help everyone.  

Hey 35 is the new 34,

Wait for me, I'll ride along with you to that strip joint! Seems like a good starting point for such research.

I had a mastectomy Oct 2008. I survived but I'm still paying bills, going to follow ups & having one of two reconstruction surgeries next month. I agree they need to spend more time discovering what causes cancer and how to prevent it! Susan Komen Foundation never helped me. Cancer Care, Bridge of Blessings and the DD Bray Foundation did! I'm still paying $2500 deductibles and out of pocket expenses but thanks to Cancer Care, DD Bray Foundation & Bridge of Blessings I am in less debt than I would have been. I don't want to wear pink! I no longer like pink! I want to forget I ever had breast cancer! I donate to cancer funds and would definitely donate to "Cancer Care", the "DD Bray Foundation" & "Bridge of Blessings" before I would donate to the Susan Komen fund! I feel sorry for children who have to go through the pain from the constant needles, probing & proding! ! It's not "if" you ever get cancer, it's "when" you get cancer, whata kind are you going to get?! They really need to focus on creating a vaccine to keep everyone from getting cancer A survivor and running scared that it will return somewhere else or get more family & friends!

Breast cancer research saved my daughter's life last year. Sure certain industries who purport to be good guys are contributory to the breast cancer epidemic; but what isn't in our additive-happy Society. While they contribute towards research they shine the light on themselves. Lets give it a break for a while.

No such thing as to much pink. I had two lovery friends with small children die from Breast Cancer, and other women I know and love are survivers. What fool started that needs to work with Breast Cancer patients and loved ones, and mstarman you have a great mom.

Ok, so Breast Cancer Awareness is a good thing, obviously. But, I have to be honest here and admit that it's gotten annoying somewhat. Why aren't there similar male counterpart campaigns like Prostate Cancer for example?  I'm unaware of the compared mortality rates between the two diseases, but they harm and kill both sexes nonetheless. Perhaps it arises from the passion that many women have with such topics, versus most men that would rather get passionate over sports and other worldly things?  

Wouldn't it be ironic if they did a study and found that Swiffer caused breast cancer?  I'd like to see more information about where our money is going for research.  In the meantime, I'm going down the street to do some reasarch at the local strip joint.  At leas there I can see where my money is going to.  There Swiffer, keep you two cents.  I'll buy a bottle of bleach for 1/5 the price and give the rest of my money to research.

Although I think breast cancer awareness, fundraising and research are a magnificent thing, it's the single most over funded charity that we have.  While it does affect millions and millions of people, family and friends world wide, it's not the only charity in need of money for research and awareness.  I feel this charity takes a lot of the lime light away from many other people and charities that struggle with the same fate unfortunately they are not giving the same platform to plead there case.

Apparently all cancers are horrible no matter who they inflict and everybody favors research and awareness towards whichever cancer is affecting them.  I, myself, have to be my son's advocate because at the age of five, he is unable to speak up, vote, etc in order to spread childhood cancer awareness.  I just wonder why we are not putting our children first sometimes.  The amount of suffering these kids go through is unimaginable to me.  No child's parents should be told to take their children home to die.  No child should look at their parents and ask "what's hopsice, why I am on it?"  

Breast cancer awareness is very successful, they've done an awesome job.  I hope that it encourages women to do their self-breast exams, get mammograms, etc.. They are given an opporunity to catch this type of cancer at an early stage, where it will react more favorably to treatments, whereas many other cancers are not able to be detected as easily.  

WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! DONT EVER HATE PINK! IM A 17 YEAR OLD BOY WHO HATES BREAST CANCER AND ALL OTHER TYPES OF CANCER. MY MOTHER HAS DONE THE 3-DAY WALK FOR 3 YEARS IN A ROW. GO MOM! AND TO ALL THE SURVIVERS, LADYS AND MEN, (YES MEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER), AND ALL THE LADYS AND MEN WITH BREAST CANCER, WOO-HOO!!!

Yes, it is overdone... Question:  How much of the money generated actually goes to research?

I am a 44 year old male. I like man things, such as football. Watching the 2009 season, specifically October, I have been shown what this disease is. Through the work of many NFL affiliated people a very important messege was given to me. AWARENESS.  Guys think this is cool and the pink is great. Finally we pay attention!!  The subject of breast cancer was discussed among some coworkers lately and I didn't ever see these men like THIS before. I say pour on the pink in all you do, for October  seems as if it will become a very important part of the future. Someone's idea worked!

Although I think breast cancer awareness, fundraising and research are a magnificent thing, it's the single most over funded charity that we have.  While it does affect millions and millions of people, family and friends world wide, it's not the only charity in need of money for research and awareness.  I feel this charity takes a lot of the lime light away from many other people and charities that struggle with the same fate unfortunately they are not giving the same platform to plead there case.

N.B.

Why does the NFL have to do all this stuff with pink for breast cancer? Why just breast cancer? Why don't they wear brown for colon cancer awareness or white for prostate cancer?

While I have every sympathy with the BC awareness campaign my curiousity is why just BC?  Why not every cancer?  This money should be shared equally between all cancer research and aid to those who have cancer. Everyone who suffers from cancer needs help.  To separate BC patients as more important or needing more help is counter productive.  I personally don't buy "Pink Ribbon" products because it is discrimination against all of those other cancer patients who need help.

I kind of understand where you are coming from; but I totally disagree with your comments.

Breast cancer still very much exists as you told your reader. Women are dying everyday; Thank God hopefully less than in the past, but they are still dying. Some young woman will get the diagnosis today and wonder, "will I see my kids grow up?" Granted, there are more survivors every day. They are a diverse group. They are housewives, millionaires, tv and movie stars, singers and the list goes on and on. I understand that maybe the "pink campaign does also serve as a marketing tool; so what? If 50 people buy a pink product, that is $1.00. The more products, the more money. Some larger companies match the donations. PINK is good.

BTW, my mother was found to have had a "cancer buddy" tissue in her. It was not cancerous, but what if it had been cancerous? Her immune system sucks anyway. She doesn't need any more problems. That's what people don't think about: multiple issues. Think about breast cancer, but think about other nasty diseases as well. Other people are suffering. Help them, too.

This article and people's comments really upset me. I'm shocked that people actually have a problem with this. If you're going to buy a certain product anyway, why not buy a product that will donate a portion of the cost to a good cause, even if it's just a little? It's not like it's money going to Jon Gosselin to buy an Ed Hardy t-shirt. It is a good thing! How does it hurt, really?

For those who are saying there are more prevalent cancers that are more deserving... well that is just, for a lack of a better word, selfish! Obviously, many of of us have certain foundations that mean more to us from personal experiences and yes, it would be great if all cancer foundations had the same deal going on, but just because they don't doesn't mean you should be bitter or try to take away the good thing the Breast Cancer Foundation has going on.

Why would you want to take away an opportunity for any cancer foundation to make money? Just because you may not know someone who has been affected by breast cancer doesn't mean it's less important. We should be glad that steps are being taken to help women with breast cancer!

Lucky one is right. Cancers of all forms are just awful.

Hey folks--I don't remember anyone having this discussion when Lance Armstrong made sure everyone had one of those yellow "live strong" bracelets on their wrists to raise awareness for his plight with testicular cancer.  I think any way to raise awareness for this dreadful disease is better than doing nothing at all.  If seeing pink offends you then don't buy the products but stop criticizing the people who want to spend their money on products they believe are helping support a worthy cause that raises awareness and money to help find a cure.

I made an account just so I could comment on this article. It's hard to read this because my grandmother just survived breast cancer. I love my Grandmother and it was hard seeing her fight this disease. I don’t think it matters that the “pink” campaign is too big. Breast cancer is a horrible disease and awareness needs to be brought to it.  I’m not saying that the other cancers are not important. There can never be too much of any awareness brought to cancer. It is awful that people even think that the “pink” campaign is being blown out of proportion. People saying this apparently never have experienced breast cancer or they must not have any family with breast cancer. I think that pink is a wonderful program and more items need to be pink. We need a cure for breast cancer and that is one small step EVERYBODY should take. My grandmother now has to live with NO breasts. Now imagine yourself with NO breasts. Think of that next time you avoid buying something with a pink ribbon.

ALSO I BUY PINK EVERY CHANCE I GET!!!!!!!

you know the saying, "if everyone donated 2 cents..."

I'm not too unhappy to see people getting all hyped up about breast cancer. How wonderful that people want to help each other so much! But why are we focusing on only one kind of cancer? What about cancers of the heart, liver, blood, brain, intestines, etc? Come to think of it, why are we not thinking of other things like cerebal paulsey, paralysis, and other nasty non-cancerous things? Breast cancer is horrible. What would I have done if my mother's tissue that had been deemed by the doctors a "cancer buddy" had indeed been "hanging out" with cancer? I'm only 16. Who knows how I would have fared? But other people are suffering, too. We need to help them as well.

We are lucky that all of this makers are donating this money to the cure.  Maybe you should do a little more research about these products.  Its people like you that make American to be a consumerism nation, it isnt just about buying pink, if i wanted it to be pink i would paint it.  You are an idiot to think that.  If there were more reds to donate AIDS I think people would, as well, be all over that.  My grandma died of breast cancer before I got to meet her, while my mom was 12 years old.  I wish that people were as aware, back then, as they are today.  I LOVE PINK!!!!!!!! And I hope that nothing bad ever happens to you, and you need this foundation to help save your life.

If more foundations put their problems out there for people to hear we would be just as "obsessed"

after all this is just another form of CANCER!!!!

I was walking through the Dallas Baylor University Medical complex recently on my way to my derrmatologist recently to get my Morgellons Disease treatment when I saw the disgusting pink ribbons all over the place.  I have been through a blazing earthly inferno trying to get my Morgellons treated, until I found this doctor, who hasn't been able to get rid of all of it...yet!

I had two paternal aunts who lost breasts to cancer, so I'm not minimizing its reality.  My maternal grandfather also had breast cancer and a masectomy.

Nevertheless, the 1 in 9 women will get breast cancer myth is one of the biggest lies foisted on the American public.  Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 die of breast cancer every year.  Dallas  itself has a population of one million people.  If 1 in 9 women were getting breast cancer, I would have seen 1 in 9 women in my life get it..  I have not.

I have tried for years, including writing the American Cancer Society, to get the source and original study with the logic used to assume 1 in 9 American women will die of breast cancer.  I have never received it, and I don't expect that I ever will.  No logical study could conclude that.

Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer.  Are the tobacco companies still allowed to advertise in women's magazines?

I've had a serious problem for many years with women's health care being synonymous with PAP 1smears and mammograms.  

The cancer industry is profitable.  I think "control" is also behind the movement.;  let's cut on women's bodies, slash and burn them.  I see doctors defending their right to aggressively treat breast cancer, "What if this were your mother?" What if the doctors' mothers had Morgellons Disease?

People die every day of other stuff that doesnt' get marketing campaigns..

The local public hospital, Parkland, runs campaigns for free mammograms periodically.  What they are not telling the public is that their partner, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, needs subjects to train its residents on breast cancer and get them board-certified.

Neither Parkland nor UT Southwestern is interested in my Morgellons.

What I have against Pap smears and mammogram is coercion, the assumption that because a woman is a woman, she should gladly submit.  The US government routinely aids and abets  the medical profession with  its efforts to foist these screenings and treatments on women.  In Australia, however, there has been some resistance to coercing women into mammograms.

Women often experience a lifetime of neglect and trivialization of their health problems, but a few odd cells on a PAP smear or a spot on mammogram results in phone calls trying to scare and pressure the woman into treatment, which often means mutilating surgery.

I'm a tad over 50 now.  In my early 30's, I got badly burned over a PAP smear, with a doctor terrorizing me about cancer while neglecting other health problems.  I didn't have cancer.

I've never had a mammogram.  Later in my 30's, two different doctors tried to scare me into a mammogram. I presented them all of the arguments I used above, and neither adequately answered.

Sadly, I've outlived both these doctors, who were pretty good doctors. They both died before they were 50 of other types of cancer.  Perhaps they intuited their own deaths.

ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY ALOT OF IT IS ABOUT AWARENESS AND HOW TO GET YEARLY TESTING DONE AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU DO FIND SOMETHING TO GET DOUBLE CHECKED,,,,,,,,,,WOMEN AND MEN NEED TO BE AWARE OF SIGNS OF THIS DISEASE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR PEOPLE WHO FIND THIS.........

EVERYDAY THERE ARE 1 OUT OF EVERY 8 WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER, AND I PRAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM AND PRAY FOR A CURE FOR ALL CANCERS NO MATTER WHAT FORM OR FASHION, MEN OR WOMEN, IT IS STILL GREAT TO HAVE PEOPLE DOING THE RESEARCH FOR A CURE FOR ALL TYPES NO MATTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND THERE TEAMS OF RESEARCHERS SAVED MY LIFE,,,,THANK YOU GOD FOR ALL THESE TEAMS AND MEMBERS FOR ALL YOU DO

No, I don't think that it is too much. I lost a family member to this horrible cancer. Let me tell you what I think is too much. How about black history month!!! That is over done!! Of course there are lots of other cancers out there that need more attention too. But I personally dont think that it is too much. Why isn't there a big to do on Alzhiemer's too? Such a sad disease!!!

thank god for all the pink i have seen this month...........i was diagnosed 7 months ago with breast cancer, i have gone through pure hell, lost a breast, long sickly treatments, and i thank god everyday that they were able to get all of mine and i will live from this horriable cancer i have had to deal with for past 7 months and will always have a black cloud hanging over my head for the rest of my life.. they have alot of different charities for alot of different killing dieses that you can choose to donate to....... its your choice !!!!!!!!  its amazing the research they do for aids and nobody gripes about that...... having cancer not by choice,  but having aids most of the time it is by choice by using dirty drug needles or from having sex(mostly gay men) but they raise more money for research money for that than any other disease.... so i dont think the pink "IS RIDICULOUS" ..........THANK GOD FOR PINK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  IT SAVED MY LIFE

I think that the "pink" cause needs to let up a bit.  Thyroid cancer is rapidly touching more lives than breast cancer; yet last month was Thyroid Cancer awareness.  Did anyone buy something tourquoise?  Probably not.  There are more cancers out there, and we shouldn't be 'guilted' into buying anything under the pretense of "curing cancer."  If you truly want *ALL* of your money to go toward finding a cure, donate it to the American Cancer Society Research.  

Interesting.  It was only a few days ago that I was telling my wife that I thought that the whole "pink" thing was really overdone.  She agreed with me, despite losing her mother to breast cancer 7 years ago (59 yrs old).  We both felt that breast cancer is being exploited, partly for the reason that everyone knows someone who in some way is affected.  

My mother passed away 8 years ago from ALS (at 54 yrs old) and it's a nasty disease that gets virtually no attention despite its horrible effects.  I've known one other person who died from ALS (of no relation to our family), and also one ALS widow (whose husband died at 36 yrs old).  I know more people affected by breast cancer, that's true.  But it's not like ALS is that rare.  

That being said, I also know more people affected by more common diseases than ALS - which also get no attention.  But right now, breast cancer awareness makes up the vast majority of 'awarenesses' out there (even far more than other cancers).

Considering all these diseases, I think we need to focus a little less on cures, and more on prevention.  Eat well, exercise, sleep, and keep your mental state healthy.  Bang, now your risk of pretty much any disease (and your odds of recovery if you get one) has just got much better.

I agree that breast cancer is a worthy cause but there are many equally worthy causes that deserve attention as well. I think it's a bit much when all I see on the FootBall Field is PInk! I was taken aback when I opened my medication bag to find my normally orange prescription bottle now had a baby pink cap with a hot pink ribon on it. There are somethings that should remain undisturbed, My FootBall & My Meds!

I realize that breast cancer is a terrible disease.  That being said, I am very tired of hearing about nothing but breast cancer as if it was the only form of Cancer.  There are other forms of Cancer.  I didn't hear anyone hollering and wailing when my Father was dying of leukemia?  Why don't we all put forth the effort to work towards curing all cancers?

I strongly believe this marketing strategy has run it's course.I am a woman and do not buy the pink products.Too much,too long.Heart disease is the number one killer of women.Where is this crusade?I believe the money for research needs to be focussed in many directions.The over saturation of breast cancer fundraising is turning many people off to donating.I believe money needs to be donated to this wonderful cause but not at the expense of all other cancers and diseases which are vast!

As a family member who has seen more than her share of cancer victims; both survivors and those who have not, I'm totally exhausted with PINK.  There are certainly more cancers that take the lives of more than those witih breast cancer.  And as one who loves pink, I absolutely positively refuse to buy anything remotely related to Breast Cancer!  It's overdone and abused.  Other forms of cancer and their victims as well as their families are well deserving of a break -- and an equal opportunity for all the other forms of cancer that have taken the lives of those they love.  This is an obnoxious display of American marketing!  

I think it's great and wonderful that breast cancer awareness organizations have such  intelligent and creative people to come up with all these ideas to bring more awareness to this awful disease.

BUT!  There are so many other cancers that kill people as much or more that need this kind of attention and financial support. Perhaps those awareness organizations just don't have the right people working for them.

No non-profit corporation should "corner" the Pink Ribbon campaign via copyrights. A "penny saved is a penny earned" just like every "penny counts towards breast cancer research" IS RIDICULOUS. Make decent sized charitable contributions to the charity of your choice to make a difference. We are all ready mass marketed to death.

Barbara Brenner as a survivor should celebrate life in many ways but not jump into the abyss with millions of people who spend their time telling us what is wrong with what we do as consumers.  If I make a purchase and the two cents caps off a fundraiser for say $5mil and then produces grants that help breast cancer patients and survivors like her get better care then it helps.  If a baseball diamond has a pink ribbon on it and at least one person either in the stands or on TV decides to make a donation, get involved, pulls out the phone book or googles a local organization then it works.  To say that “awareness” is not what we need is just not a prudent non-profit statement.  My wife and I have devoted many hours to non-profit organizations when we were not afflicted with anything that coincided with their cause.  I can tell you that every non-profit meeting, training, education seminar we have ever attended preaches awareness.  Why, because it works.  In the world of non-profits you don’t always have a lot of choices that work.  Barbara may find it time to lay off the lemon aid and grapefruit and try something less sour like strawberries or raspberries.  She might try to remember that maybe one of the corporations may have someone on the board who has a person or knows a person who lost a loved one to breast cancer or some other disease.      

If I see one more pink item I will scream.  And don't think my life hasn't been affected by cancer....my mom died when I was 25 (I am 30 now) of leukemia (after surviving endometrial cancer) and my dad is, thank God, cancer free after fighting prostate cancer.  However, the pink stuff just sells companies products.  Sure, two cents is two cents, but the donated money is very little in comparison to how much companies are making off selling pink stuff.  They can easily part with the two cents donated when they figure in how much they profit off selling pink.

I'm all for saving lives, but all this does is increase profits for companies.  Besides, is breast cancer the only thing out there that will kill us?  There are many other cancers (like my mom's) and other illnesses that are much more deadly and harder to catch in time.  At least breast cancer can be caught in early screenings and is still a cancer that CAN be fought.  There are many cancers that you don't know until you start showing signs, and by then it's progressed so far there is nothing you can do.  

But breast cancer wins because it is so marketable, pink is feminine, the breast is feminine, pink is pretty, it's pretty to be feminine.  Well I'm sure anyone that has had it can tell you there is nothing pretty about breast cancer.  I'm not saying don't support cancer research, just realize there are other killers out there, and shoving all the funds toward breast cancer won't help anyone, especially when you find yourself or a loved one dying of something else.

I am so SICK of PINK! I now go out of my way to NOT buy anything that has the pink ribbon on it.  Its great to generate awarness but we are saturated with this cause, I never thought anything could be more annoying than MDA or United Way, but lo and behold the Susan B. Komen Foundation has managed to top both

As far as I'm concerned until there is a cure, everything should be pink, yellow blue green, red what ever it takes to get a portion of every...every purchase toward finding a cure for the worlds cancers all of them, When there's a cure, and now one else has to die, or lose a loved one to cancer, then  we can say enough.

Enough pink, i am more worried about my nuts.

Posted By: GeorginaKlanica (October 13, 2009 at 4:14 PM)

"Maybe we would have a cure if all those resources wasted on Viagra and the other recreational ED drugs went to breast cancer research.  If nature had intended for all males to have erections their entire lifetimes, nature/evolution would have provided for it, just as nature/evolution curtailed their # years women are fertile.  "

If nature had intended for us to live longer and cancer-free ...

Seriously, Viagra benefits just as many women as men.  If single, older men are unable to participate in sexual relations, they won't be spending money on women.

you know what? u people make me sick because they are saving LIVES! what does God want you to do? keep them dying or find a cure?

vic dadika, i like u!

i want you guys to see both sides of the arguement

No emphasis on breast cancer can possibly be too much.  When breast cancer awareness nears the hype awarded to Barak Obama then we will know it has neared the saturation point.

Agreed, there is too much focus on one illness when there are many others that need just as much attention and affect just as many of our loved ones.

On a side note...I'm a woman, and personally it's been very annoying to see as much pink on the football field every Sunday.  I appreciate the cause, but the pink is beginning to be nauseating.  It's just too much.

is there  enough being done there is never enough until we find a cure lets keep wearing pink  promoting pink till we find a cure. legimate companies want to help and sell product guess what we live in america its the american way i would not change it. There are many other illness in this country promote promote promote.

i am just a kid but my grandma and my other grandma have both been diagnosed with breast cancer and it is real hard for me to see her die like this and unless you guys have expirenced the pain of cancer and the radiation and the chemo! when you guys say shopping sont help anything what you are saying is that donating wont cure anything! i hope you know the pain that all of these women are going through and i pray to God that you guys are going to meat a special person that does have cancer and needs you to donate! i am really hope that none of you have to see the pain of someone like my grandma and that you never have to have breast cancer anywhere in your life okay? i am going to pray for you guys that you dont have to go throught that kind of pain! all these people want to do is give someone a better life! they also do have you donate for other horrable diseases just look around!

I have lymphoma and breasts. I'd love to see Pink Breast Cancer fund-raising groups donate part of their monies to generalized cancer research. Women are powerful advocates and can energize many. Please focus on the greater good. Believe it or not, I'd trade my Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for breast cancer. At least, breast cancer can be cured. My cancer does not offer that option. How about pinking up for other cancers?

If you want to advocate for any cancer, take a look at this link. You can contact your representative or senator via this link:

http://www.capitolconnect.com/lls/contentpageCampaigns.aspx?page=CampaignsMain

Thanks for listening!

As a recent breast cancer survivor, I say this is total bs.  I mean, for myself, i have never bought something just because it had a pink ribbon on it.  I would think that most consumers are equally as intelligent.  If something I am buying happens to have the bc logo on it and it supports research, all the better.  We see tons of other logo branded products promoting aids research and other things, do we complain about them?  The simple fact is that 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was on e of those "numbers" as of last year, I supported the cause before my diagnosis and will continue to do so.  We haven't found a cure yet, but they are working on it and each bit of research helps to lower the "mortality" statistics.  I plan to be one of the lucky ones.  Buy pink, don't buy pink, but make an informed decision.

Overdone?  Thursday, my best friend is going under the knife for a possible maglignant tumor under her nipple.  Ten years ago, she survived breast cancer.  Now this.  Again, I ask you... overdone?  "Consumerism" is in its own right a garish term, yet how can anything that promotes research and treatment of this deadly disease be regarded as overdone?

I definitely feel that pink products are just part of a marketing ploy for big companies. If these companies cared so much about breast cancer, why can't just take a teeeeeny portion of their profits and donate it to research?

Yes men are suffering from prostate cancer at the levels women suffer from breast cancer, Actually more men are diagnosed and more men die each year of prostate cancer then women with breast cancer. How do I know? I am married to one of thise men - who is terminally ill with prostate cancer - at a WAY too young age to have even been diagnosed!

I am all for any type of awareness of ALL chronic/incurable illnesses.  However, I feel that breast cancer has taken over many other illnesses that people should be aware of and contribute to their cures such as lupus, mental illnesses, other forms of cancer, etc....I do feel that it is a bit overwhelming to constantly be seeing the pink ribbon on so many products where donations are given to breast cancer research when I feel there should be money given to many other illnesses as well.  I personally know several  people who have suffered from breast cancer, but I also know many people who are suffering from other chronic illnesses and I feel that people should be aware of these as well and contribute if possible to the cure for all diseases.

I think that it is MUCH MORE important to make people aware of breast cancer, than latio month.

I am not happy with the fact that you try to watch a football game, and all you heare is latino month, and they even have a latino offical, and he calls the pentlys in spanish, Compley uncalled for. Thank you.

Proud survivor of the PINK. ANYTHING to find a cure of any type of cancer is a step in the right direction.

I wonder if men were suffering from prostate cancer at the levels women suffer from breast cancer, would this article be necessary? Yes, you make a great point in drawing attention to the type of foods/products we consume and the correlation between that product and links to breast cancer but let us stop nit picking at the ways awareness is being brought to this issue and let's work on finding a cure. I am 29 and found a lump in my breast and just got my first mammogram three weeks ago. Thank God it was not cancer but I immediately thought of all the women who will not be so blessed to receive the news I got. I just don't want to see another woman have to suffer due to this disease and I definitely don't want to minimalize the necessity for finding a cure. Keep the fight alive, think pink !!!

And one more for happy

Thanks for caring.  That IS a good thing.  

The best I have heard from cancer patients while going through treatment is group talk and lots of it.  Then again a guy I know had his wife succumb and he diagnosed 3 months later.  He's still around and did it alone.  So most likely there is a kernal to it.   I am not gonna say good luck or *od bless.  The way is in indentity.   Choose what you will just be careful what you identify with.

I have read some of the post and I can see both sides of the issue.  I am a 42 year old breast cancer survivor and my mother has survived breast cancer three times in the last 15 years.  All I can say is that 1 in every 9 women will get breast cancer.  This is an outstanding number of women being diagnosed and unfortunately dying from the disease.  I can understanding people feeling frustrated that other illnesses or even cancers do not get all the attention that breast cancer does.  It is very emotional for me to see all the "pink" but hopefully this "awareness and research" will mean that my daughters will not have to face a diagnosis.  

I have not failed at all quite the contrary I am a true believer and supporter for a cancer patient!  It seems as thought you don't have the same support system from your family which is where you have been failed!  I am not in any hole and don't need you or anyone else to pull me out of it.  Any kind of uncurable illness is tragic and awareness and support for the cause are key to finding a cure, seems pretty black and white to me!

Has anyone heard of the GOLD ribbon or that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month?  Well, now you have.  Many of us "cancer parents" would die to have the awareness and media attention breast cancer has and also the ability to detect a cancer at an early stage.  My child was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing's Sarcoma at the tender age of 3, and given a grim prognosis.   I thank God everyday he is still with me, but he is battling a recurrence of this disease.  Unfortunately less than 3% of funding goes to childhood cancer research.  Although adults get cancer much more than children, childhood cancer is the leading disease killer of our children.  Childhood cancer resarch is underfunded because profit margins are to slim, and not much awareness is given to the twelve major types of childhood cancer.  

curechildhoodcancer.ning.com

carepages.com/carpages/AidensAmbition

http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=168660

madam, you'll be glad of the consumers that made their CHOICE to purchase PINK if you ever get breast cancer !!!

it's hard to believe that a woman wrote this article - i'm ashamed of you.

I work on the front line, answering phones for one of the biggest cancer non-profit organizations out there.  My company is not specific to any particular type of cancer.  I am all about helping out cancer patients, but the breast cancer awareness has gone too far.  I totally can see where survivors of other types of cancers would feel ignored and alienated since breast cancer is really the only cancer that is given any kind of attention.  People want to do good by donating to organizations that are specific to breast cancer, and our organization is ignored. We do so much to help patients of ALL types of cancer, not just breast cancer, but we can only do so much now that our donations are way down (because of the economy, and because people choose other orgs).  Help support ALL types of cancer--let's see some purple ribbons (the color for survivors of all types of cancer).

    What about the number one cancer prostate. The whole pink thing is just a marketing tool. Does it realy help or does just help people feel better about them selves. What is to be said about dads, sons, brothers and husbands that die every day. Do they need to go out and hire some big marketing company and push it so it gets more suport then brest cancer or couldn't we just had one group working for us on  support and funding all cancer resurch with out the overhead and and red tape so more money goes toward cancer resurch in a whole.

I'm seeing a lot of comments of people saying "skip the products"... I donate right to the cause. But if the cause wasn't out there and in your face, would you donate yearly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation? Probably not because you don't know about it.

If you want more awareness for a particular cause, do what Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen, did... dedicate your lives to helping to raise awareness and ultimately find a cure. Her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 years old (young) and she is fulfilling a promise she made to her sister.

If you want to raise awareness for a particular cause... do it! Blogs are free - start blogging, volunteer, organize fund raisers, etc.

Don't knock breast cancer awareness because they didn't stop at talking the talk... they're walking the walk.

http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/AboutUs.html

For dcrockett1836 and KatieBug199 (who mentioned lung cancer) and sugarb150 (who mentioned diabetes)... first, I am very sorry that you or your loved ones have had to face such hardships.  However, your anger about funding is misplaced and uninformed.  While breast cancer's pink campaign is certainly more visible, according to Forbes Magazine both the American Lung Association and the American Diabetes Association have greater assets and spend more money annually than the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  Additionally, the American Cancer Society, which spends its money to research many forms of cancer, receives at least five times as much as the Susan G Komen foundation.  Research is being done on all of these illnesses, so to imply that breast cancer research is somehow unfair is just wrong.

Statistically, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, and with numbers like that it should be no surprise that it gets a lot of attention.  To irie, who mentioned haemophilia... its occurence is more like 1 in 10,000.  My grandfather died of a rare genetic condition that has received less attention than haemophilia or ALS (both diseases I have heard of... have you heard of OPCA?), so I understand your frustration, but I cannot expect that a disease that afflicts relatively few people should receive as much funding as one that afflicts 1 in 8 women.

IT IS SO HARD TO SEE ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE DISSING BREAST CANCER MY MOM HAD BREAST CANCER WHEN I WAS ONLY 29 MONTHS OLD.THEN MY AUNT HAD IT ABOUT A YEAR AFTER MY MOM.FINALLY ABOUT SIX YEARS LATER MY GRANDMOTHER GOT IT AND EVENTULLY DIED FROM IT.WHEN EVER I HEAR THE WORD "CANCER" I WILL JUST LOSE IT SOMETIMES I WILL CRY MYSELF ASLEEP.

Like everything else in the country this thing has morphed into a money making venture and of course we do absolutely nothing for men, as usual. Everyone has been kow-towed down and told to fall in line.

I am a 3-year cancer survivor and am still paying the bills.  Trust me when I say that cancer patients and their families do not need pink M&Ms and pink shoe laces.  I received an email from our local Susan G Koman offiliate asking for volunteers to tell their story.  I responded via email that I would be happy to share my story with other women.  I was told via email that I was too old.  I am 44.  So...Susan G Koman lost my support.  They minimized my fight for my life.  People with breast cancer are very aware of it and don't need to be reminded to check their breasts.  People touched by ALL CANCERS need financial counseling, nutritional counseling, spiritual counseling, medical counseling...they need help fighting the (*&$%# disease.  I support Can-Care who gave me free counseling when I needed it the most.  www.cancare.org  Buy the pink stuff if you like it, but chances are, the money isn't going to help folks with cancer.  I admit it, I own a Brighton Breast Cancer necklace, but I don't feel a warm fuzzy when I wear it.  I see $50 that could have gone for a cause greater than my vanity.  For those of you who came before me and those who continue to fight, God bless you all.      

As someone with colon cancer (our ribbon is Navy Blue).I went on the websites after I was diagnosed and found a great deal of resentment aimed at breast cancer.Those of us going through Chemo and radiation are suffering  just as much.Our families are effected just as much.Our chance of survial is the same.Each cancer is different and needs different treatments.All the concentration on breast cancer takes away from the rest of us.We have sons and daughters.and moms and dads too.

I am a family physician who lost a mother in law to breast cancer. However, look at the statistics, folks- CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE kills far more than all cancers combined. And lung cancer kills more than breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer combined. So if we want to truly save and help women, more efforts will go towards preventing diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. the whole "Pink" thing smacks of American consumerism and media hysteria.

Sure, get your mammograms, but remember that the 5 year survival for breast cancer is 89%. So follow Grandmas instructions to eat your veggies, go outside and play, and don't smoke.

I think common sense tells you that BIG BUSINESS gets more out of contributions, etc.......than what goes into curing any kind of cancer........I remember back in the 60's they were using the same tactics and saying the money would be used to find a cure for breast cancer....There is too much money to be made,  by big business and the medical companies,  rather than finding a cure.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Have you had breast cancer like I have @ 33 years old? WOW thanks for reminding me there isn't a cure and that if I didn't do a proper self exam I could be dead already like my mother that lost her battle in 2000.

Your life won't be so simple once you watch someone slowly die of cancer!!!! I wish you DO have to see your loved one face death daily and suffer in pain. You'll think twice about pink.

Sorry Dude you failed again!  I am a parent and I am married.  Oh yeah 2 months ago my super hot blonde 4.0 daughter was raped.  A bit of TMI there but you need to get out of your hole and I am just the nutbar to do it for ya.

The whole bottom line to all of this is all of you FEAR DEATH.  The ultimate consumerism.

For the simple minded (which most of you are) just because you think it there is a 99% chance it is not the truth.

And once you find the truth; what then?

Powakai it is obvious that you are in a bad place with whatever mental illness or condition you may have and have never had the blessing of being a parent, but to insult cancer patients and loved ones of cancer patients by telling them cancer is a blessing is just downright rude!  No illness of any kind is a blessing!  Not even yours!

i just have somethings that just bother me about this. yes i do support for the cure for beast cancer my own family has died from breast cancer.  but there is another disease that has killed my whole family which is diabetes. it took my great grandmas life my grandmas life my uncles my aunts all have died from it. i dont think diabetes or other cancers get enough attention. my mom and dad also have diabetes. we never hear about anything else exept breast cancer. i hope they find a cure for diabetes so it dont take my moms or dads life. my mom has been diabetic for 25 years. before my moms diabetes took over she used to be a REGISTERED NURSE. she had to stop doing what she loved because of the pain in her legs. DID YOU KNOW THAT DIABETES KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN BREAST CANCER AND AIDS TOGETHER. MY MOM ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF  A INFECTION DUE TO DIABETES. THANK GOD SHE IS STILL ALIVE BUT MY MOM STILL SUFFERS EVERY DAY FROM DIABETES. DIABETES HAS MESSED UP HER LEGS, HEART, STOMACH,SWEAT GLANDS,EYES,BONES. AND MUCH MORE. IM NOT SAYING THAT I DONT SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWERNESS. IM JUST SAYING I WISH MORE DISEASES GOT THE SAME ATTENTION

My mom just died on August 19, 2009, from Level IV breast cancer so I feel that any money that companies and manufacturers donate albeit small is a good thing.  I would hate for any other family to have to experience what my family has went through especially the last two months of my mom's life.  No one deserves that so companies that will donate a little of the proceeds to breast cancer research - hoorah! I only purchase items I would have purchased normally anyway.

I am the proud parent of 2 boys with hemophilia and a daughter who is a carrier like her mother. When was the last time anyone heard of any benefits for hemophilia or let alone knows what it is? Also I have a brother who is dying of ALS, again when was the last time anyone heard of any benefits for this? Yes, I believe this is being overdone. Not to say it is very important to bring awareness to this horific cancer. There are others. I  would encourage those who nothing about Hemophilia, or what it is , as well as ALS, please look into these.

Thank You....IRIE....

I could not agree with you more. The only pink I want to see is in the Pepto Bismol bottle in my medicine cabinet. I am all for fundraising for cancers. But there is such an onslaught of pink EVERYWHERE, one might get the notion that breast cancer is the only cancer out there worthy of fundraising. This hit home for me, when, in 2007 at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with stage III Ovarian Cancer. I came to find out that we survivors have a "color" which is TEAL. AND our awareness month is September. However, there are no fundraisers for us, no teal ribbon merchandise for all to see, no events etc. No products with TEAL labels to be sent in....nada. Only recently has there been PR, on The View and with Electrolux(with Kelly Ripa). Other than that, we OVCA(our acronym) survivors are pushed by the wayside(as are countless other survivors of cancers). Pink has had it's moment, it's time to move onto other colors in the crayon box.

I am SO glad to know that I am not alone on this subject. I lost my mom to Lung Cancer in June of 2008. Until she was diagnosed I was under the impression that Breast Cancer was the number one cancer killer... well, come to find out it's actually Lung Cancer. Lung Cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and melanoma cancers COMBINDED! Though nobody would ever know that because you never hear about any other types of cancer other than breast cancer. It makes me very sad as well as angry to know that we are so focused on trying to find a cure for breast cancer, when our focus should be on trying to find a cure for CANCER! So many people die from dozens of other types of cancer on a daily basis, yet we continue to focus on one type. Everyone deserves a second chance at life!

Does anyone not see what elements can cause cancer as well, i.e DDT that was sprayed to kill mosquitoes in your own hometown, Agent Orange that our troops in Vietnam were exposed to, electrical overhead powerlines and this is just a few, not including what is in our foods.  We have to stand united on this and let our Legislators know we are aware of all of this.

Did Barbara Brenner really say "Awareness is not what we need"????

Ms. Brenner, you are a fool. You are a fool for being so intent on finding fault that you fail to realize how many lives are ultimately saved because women are being tested early. They are being tested early because of this "awareness" you don't think we need. More lives are being saved - cancer is being detected earlier and earlier - thus giving women AND men a fighting chance against a deadly disease.

God, I hope you aren't paid for what you do!

With 1 in 7 woman diagnosed with Breast Cancer the dreaded disease affects everyone everywhere. A mother, sister, niece, daughter, girlfriend etc. It impacts every family and person at some point. The need to treat it and support the woman and men who are diagnosed with what once was a deadly disease is obvious. The improvements made just in the past 10 years is remarkable.

What I don't understand is that there are at least 3 major non profits now promoting "the ribbon" This is a waste of resources and creates multiple levels of administrative costs. It would be more prudent  to have one non-profit that provides, research, support and education. By doing so it would allow hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent where it is needed.

With so little of the money going to the non profits it is all about marketing. The consumer is misled into thinking they are supporting beast cancer by buying a product. The reality is that often times its  pennies that are being "donated" by their purchase and every corporate sponsor puts a cap on how much will be contributed. Most corporate sponsors use the ribbon for nothing more tha a marketing purpose and NOT because they are good corporate citizens, supporters or philanthropic, for if they were there would be no caps placed upon the "donation" These corporations are increasing sales, making a small donation and then keeping the profits from the purchase of the pink ribbon product. It's all about marketing and merchandising, nothing more.

Skip the purchase of the products that you don't usually buy and buy the product that makes the most sense to you. Then send the difference as a donation to the cause.

I dont buy pink products but as a Realtor I make a significant donation to Susan G Komen when I represent a client in the purchase or sale of their home. I make this donation year round. I also promote the need for mammograms and proactive behavior as often as possible.  To me that makes more sense.  

With 1 in 7 woman diagnosed with Breast Cancer the dreaded disease affects everyone everywhere. A mother, sister, niece, daughter, girlfriend etc. It impacts every family and person at some point. The need to treat it and support the woman and men who are diagnosed with what once was a deadly disease is obvious. The improvements made just in the past 10 years is remarkable.

What I don't understand is that there are at least 3 major non profits now promoting "the ribbon" This is a waste of resources and creates multiple levels of administrative costs. It would be more prudent  to have one non-profit that provides, research, support and education. By doing so it would allow hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent where it is needed.

With so little of the money going to the non profits it is all about marketing. The consumer is misled into thinking they are supporting beast cancer by buying a product. The reality is that often times its  pennies that are being "donated" by their purchase and every corporate sponsor puts a cap on how much will be contributed. Most corporate sponsors use the ribbon for nothing more tha a marketing purpose and NOT because they are good corporate citizens, supporters or philanthropic, for if they were there would be no caps placed upon the "donation" These corporations are increasing sales, making a small donation and then keeping the profits from the purchase of the pink ribbon product. It's all about marketing and merchandising, nothing more.

Skip the purchase of the products that you don't usually buy and buy the product that makes the most sense to you. Then send the difference as a donation to the cause.

I dont buy pink products but as a Realtor I make a significant donation to Susan G Komen when I represent a client in the purchase or sale of their home. I make this donation year round. I also promote the need for mammograms and proactive behavior as often as possible.  To me that makes more sense.  

My  wife did at 48 from lung cancer.She never smoked. Lung cancer kills more than breast colon and prostrate cancer combined   More nonsmokers die every year rom lung cancer than die of bresat cancer. the survival rates for cancers like lung and pancreaotic are horrible compard to breast cancer, but they get a fraction of the funding.  A recent breast cancer campaign had a slogan of something like :Every life deserves a chance" Not if you get lung or pancreotic cancer  cause all the money is going to breast cancer

Hey happy you hit the nail.  My brain has been destroyed by HEY maybe someone like you.  It could be anybody.  Luck of the draw dude.  Sorry for your luck.  Hey do they lock your loved ones up because they don't know what to do with them like me and pump them full of drugs?  See you or who ever MAY have a chance at life.  I do not, yet I still have to live because they won't let me die.  And for what?  YOU DON"T KNOW PAIN!!!    

Yes, breast cancer is devastating and I do have friends that are struggling to fight breast cancer but what about other devastating diseases? I have been living with Type I Diabetes for 16 years now and what about us? It gets frustrating to see just how much pink is in every store when there is next to nothing to represent anything else that is destroying the lives of individuals and families every day. Time and time again, my mother has told me about the day I was diagnosed....no mother should ever have to hear their 7 year-old child ask if they are going to die. Society has been so caught up in the wave of pink that we have all lost sight of other diseases that are affecting us everyday. Did anyone know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month? No, probably not. Think about the 21 million people living with diabetes during that time.

I just wish that pink wasn't the color they chose.  I personally hate pink because it was forced on me as a child just because I was born female.  I also am concerned that no matter what happens, it is not going to be profitable for medical science to cure cancer of any kind so why bother?  

I think it is a Pink overload. Buy Pink blenders, Pink water, Pink this, Pink that....It's too much of a good thing. So I support Breast Cancer by buying things with Pink, then support it with Cancer walks and other donations, I wear Pink for a month a year to show support, I have a Pink ribbon on my car...I am wearing more Pink than a new born baby girl! I can only give so much.

I'm from Seattle, and in Seattle, panhandlers on  the on ramps and off ramps have quickly become a dime a dozen. Everyone is a Vet, everyone is Disabled, everyone has Kids to feed...bottome line, everyone has a story. I went to give a homeless man my leftovers as I was leaving the Cheesecake Factory one night, and before I handed it to him he asks "Well, what is it?" Who cares what it is, I just walked out of a nice dining establishment, your homeless... aren't you hungry? My point is the more you see some things, the less affect they have on you.  So know, I don't even notice the difference between Pink products or non-Pink products.

I also agree with money hungry companies! Why find a cure? If you fix someone, they won't pay you. If they die, they wont pay you. But wait...if you can prolong someone's death and slowly treat them they can pay you a lot of money over a long period of time. PINK has lost the meaning somewhere along the way :(

Much love and support to all those cancer patients, survivors, and those who lost their battles!!!

I have never received more solicitations for cancer donations as I have today:  Stop this nonsence.

Stop calling. Just stop it.

What an absurd notion!  Too much pink.  What ever it takes to make the case and cause known.  Even if some companies are only capitalizing on the "pink" cause by doing so they are making people think.  "Think Pink" means people will question what's with all the pink and then by asking why might get a little educated in the process.  

This is one area that I am well aware of as I have already lost 3 sisters to breast cancer along with 2 aunts.  I have one sister who is now an 11 year breast cancer survivor.  In the month of October I try to wear pink EVERY DAY!  It is a very small way to remind people to donate to a cancer fund and to be mindful of their own health.  I did the Avon walk last year, not so much to raise funds but to help heal my own heart of the devastation this disease has caused on my family.  

Be careful where your anger or frustrations go because one day this could be your life......death.    Much love and support to all those affected by any cancer.  GO PINK!

Here are some more causes of cancer to wonder about...growing up the city would spray DDT to help kill the mosquitoes, they stopped using it because it killed birds, what effect do you think it had on us humans and the link there.  Agent Orange was sprayed in Vietnam and these brave individuals are dying of a slow death.  Electical power lines have been linked to cancer... the list goes on and on.......

He's another good one.  Somebody sits at their family room table, prints up a nice brochure using nobodys name just the cause and makes little pink ribbons or goes to the mall and has the image put on a 10 cent dish towel.  They get a temp permit and go to a corner and sell them to you for 10 dollars.  Handy little profit don't ya think?  Now come on.  What does that sound like?

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck it must be a pirahnna.  Wake up people.

The article, I agree with to an extent. IMO, as long as the money goes to research...what is the problem? What about the other cancers.... why not start an organization for the cancer of your choice. I too have lost several family members to different types of cancer, as well as having a mother who is a 10 year survivor of breast cancer. I totally understand the marketing aspect of this article. It is down right terrible. If one life is saved from all of the "pink" in  the world now...what is so terrible about that?

For those of you leaving comments, are any of you breast cancer survivors?  Has breast cancer touched your life in any way?  If not, SHUT UP!!  As a 2 year breast cancer survivor, the one month a year that everything is pink gives me comfort that I am not alone in this fight.  It gives my 9 year old daughter the comfort that this country or world, is trying to find a cure.  To her, it means that maybe she won't have to watch me go through the hell of chemo again.  To her, the month of October means HOPE and FAITH that I will live and she won't have to cry herself to sleep at night, begging GOD not to let me die.

Breast Cancer is truly an epidemic.  For every survivor, there is a new diagnosis.  The reason breast cancer has so many advocates and survivors is directly a result of research and new treatments, from people and organizations that can make a difference (NFL, MLB, Susan J. Komen, Avon).  Before my diagnosis, I didn't know anyone with bc....now I hear of a new diagnosis every other week, literally.  So boo hoo to you nay-sayers.  Deal with it...you will all eat your words when you are directly affected.  

Did you know that every 75 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer?  Every 75 seconds a mom, daughter, sister, best friend, or wife DIES OF BREAST CANCER.  So eat your pink M&M's and buy the cereal in the pink box, because every penny DOES count.  Every penny means I am one cent closer to LIVING!  SHAME ON YOU!  

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer just a month ago, I find myself to be grateful for all of those pink ribbons.  I wonder what Brenner means by "Awareness is not what we need"?  There can't be enough reminders regarding the importance of mammograms and self-exams.  I had no family history of breast cancer, and thought it would never happen to me.  Well, I was wrong.  Now I'm so glad for all the research and support that has benefitted from the pink campaign.

Personally, I believe the American culture would collapse without the euphoria associated with a woman's mammaries.  Who wouldn't want to suffocate themselves in a nice set of tatas?

To the man who thinks Cancer is a blessing, Are you crazy?  You couldn't be more wrong.  For myself and my family it is definately not a blessing to see my 11 year old son who was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia earlier this year endure the effects of chemotherapy, or have to have a 6 hour surgery to have part of his left lung removed, or to have lived the past 7 months in the hospital.  

I have become an advocate for awareness and research for all sorts of diseases since my sons diagnosis.  I am thrilled that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and even participated in the Avon walk 3 years ago, but I am also very saddened that Childhood Cancer and Leukemia Awareness don't get as much attention.  Did you know that September was Leukemia/Lymphoma Awareness Month? probably not, but I learned that as a result of my 11 year olds diagnosis.

I would switch spots with my child in an instant, but unfortunately that cannot happen, so I will continue to be by his side as he battle Leukemia and hope that someday they discovery a CURE so that other families do not have to endure what we have!

The abundance of funds and awareness that has come out of a promise to a special sister should have produced nothing less than a cure. The breast cancer arena has created opportunities for surgeons to perform not one, not two, but three surgeries on the same area, and collecting quite well for them. There is no cure or even close to a cure. What's done is the removal of breasts. Masectomies! Masectomy drive-ins. Further, there are an abundance of misdiagnosis of breast cancer. An abundance of physicians frightening and some even threatening their patients. Many research

laboratories are unethical and milking their grants. Some have researchers with false credentials. Funds dispersed without anyone checking out anything. It's such a mess! Who are these individuals and groups that are receiving these mass marketed funds being accountable to?  

Why find a cure?  They treat you, Take all your money; then you die.  Good for corporations, good for the deficit, good for the economy.  "Death Panels"?  Who was the idiot that finally figured that out?  I can assure you health care reform no matter the form will be geared for profit.  You are already being raped!  What are they worried about?  The question is how stupid pink can you be?

I have to agree with the one that wrote "Purple" should be the color, just for the simple fact it represents "ALL" types of cancer.  May God Bless the families who have lost a loved one to cancer, I have lost three family members to cancer and that is three, too many.

I not only agree with this article I also applaud this woman to stand up and say it. I too am tired of all the "pink" from companies. What about all the other cancers? Leukemia, Prostate, Brain, Stomach....the list goes on and on. Cancer is evil no matter what color ribbon you put on it and we need to support the research behind what causes it so that we can stop it once and for all.

I understand that breast cancer is a terrible disease, but this whole Pink thing has blown breast cancer out of proportion compared to other diseases and types of cancer. It bothers me that companies are putting more money toward researching this disease than other, more prevalent diseases simply because breast cancer has better marketing and a color associated with it. I have been especially offended by dedicated breast cancer awareness days in both Major League Baseball and the NFL. Wouldn't all the money that was spent obtaining pink shoes and gloves and towels for NFL players to use for just one game have been better put toward research and treatment? And wouldn't it make more sense for professional male athletes to be promoting prostate cancer awareness for their largely male audience? Although breast cancer does afflict both women and men, prostate cancer has just as big an effect on men as breast cancer does on women. Perhaps if the WNBA and the LPGA have prostate cancer awareness days I'll feel like things have evened out.

Also, isn't one of the reasons that breast cancer has so many advocates because so many people survive it? Yet, many other types of cancer have much larger mortality rates, and that is why there are no survivors rallying for awareness.

A lot of the people commenting here are really ridiculous. My mom was diagnosed in breast cancer earlier this year and recently had both of her breasts removed completely, my aunt has underwent both chemotherapy and radiation and I never got to meet my grandmother because she passed away from breast cancer years before I was born. So needless to say there is quite a history of breast cancer in my family. I am so grateful that my mom is still here today, and it saddens me that she's had to go through so many hardships with this disease, because she has had such a challenging life as it is. So whenever I see any kind of PINK products that are supporting this cause it makes me so happy and is a reminder of just how lucky I am to still have my mom around. Though, before my mom and aunt were diagnosed I'll admit I didn't pay as much attention to it as I do now. However, this has also led me to pay more attention to other causes, such as a coworker's daughter has CF (Cystic Fibrosis) and when I see pink products/causes it reminds me of her and others who are suffering from a multitude of different diseases/cancers. I honestly don't think it's bad or overrated at all, as long as it's going towards the right things. Think about it this way, if you had a relative with a lesser-known/supported cancer such as kidney cancer or something, wouldn't you want THAT cancer to be as supported as breast cancer? It's not like it has always been this well-known. So get off your butts and do something about it if you think that another cause should be supported as well!! I have raised close to $1000 for Susan G Komen's foundation and though it may not be much, it's a start and something I am very happy to say I've helped do.

I have been fighing for the past year.  I have stage 4.  I lived a clean life.  I've never smoked, drank or took drugs.  I lived the vegan lifestyle and still i have cancer.  I see no harm in all of the pink, as long as the money goes to research.  A point was made about perservatives and hormones, which i find valid.  It will pratically take major legislature to get this out of our food chain.  if you want to help cancer patients, stop the pettiness and fight legislature and the FDA to clean up our food.  

A lot of the people commenting here are really ridiculous. My mom was diagnosed in breast cancer earlier this year and recently had both of her breasts removed completely, my aunt has underwent both chemotherapy and radiation and I never got to meet my grandmother because she passed away from breast cancer years before I was born. So needless to say there is quite a history of breast cancer in my family. I am so grateful that my mom is still here today, and it saddens me that she's had to go through so many hardships with this disease, because she has had such a challenging life as it is. So whenever I see any kind of PINK products that are supporting this cause it makes me so happy and is a reminder of just how lucky I am to still have my mom around. Though, before my mom and aunt were diagnosed I'll admit I didn't pay as much attention to it as I do now. However, this has also led me to pay more attention to other causes, such as a coworker's daughter has CF (Cystic Fibrosis) and when I see pink products/causes it reminds me of her and others who are suffering from a multitude of different diseases/cancers. I honestly don't think it's bad or overrated at all, as long as it's going towards the right things. Think about it this way, if you had a relative with a lesser-known/supported cancer such as kidney cancer or something, wouldn't you want THAT cancer to be as supported as breast cancer? It's not like it has always been this well-known. So get off your butts and do something about it if you think that another cause should be supported as well!! I have raised close to $1000 for Susan G Komen's foundation and though it may not be much, it's a start and something I am very happy to say I've helped do.

Nancy G. Brinker and associates are just cashing in on the whole, "Susan G. Komen" marketing campaign. Less about charity more about personal gain. Why should one group with one person's name have copyrights attached to a universal problem?

I know there's no one "cure" for breast cancer, but they are far ahead of many other disorders.  Nonetheless, they have flooded the market with consumerism that has turned me off to supporeting breast cancer research.  I wrote to the Susan G. Komen foundation asking where the money goes, which should be public information if they are a non-porfit.  I received no acknowledgement from them.  Every month there's "something" about raising money for breast cancer it seems.  Every store I go into from my local yarn shop to the grocery store coupons, there's something about breast cancer.  ENOUGH.  I calculated one year and realized it cost me more to send in those stupid yoplait lids then it did to send in a check.

There are many other diseases/disorder that affect famlies that I give to because it feels as if breast cancer feels there's no other cause as important as there's.  There are other cancers just as devastating, and other disorders from autism to autoimmune disorders, etc.  So I join the wagon in saying "Enough."  My money goes to charities where I know where the money goes and it's not flooded with consumerism.  I do not want a t-shirt or a mug or anything else. I want 90% or more of my dollar to go to what they say it's going towards.  I'm just curious what the CEOs, etc. at Susan G. Komen Foundation make.  Maybe they're friends will all those at AIG, etc.

What really sad is that People in Here think it's too much! It's One MONTH a YEAR! ONE! It's never enough! MORE MONEY TO SUPPORT! I WANT TO TELL THE PERSON THAT WROTE THIS, ARE YOU FOR REAL? DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE IN THIS WORLD TO WRITE ABOUT?! CMON, SO YOU LASH OUT AND SAY HEY, IS IT TOO MUCH FOR PINK AND CANCER! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU! DOES ANYONE REALIZE THAT WOMEN ALSO HAVE UTERINE CANCER THAT IS EXTREMELY RARE TO CATCH BEFORE DEATH! ALL THE RESEARCH WE NEED THE BETTER FOR MEN AND WOMEN!

I lost my Mom to Bone Marrow cancer which is linked to throid disease and you never hear anything about this type of cancer.  Honestly, it makes me wonder if they are even trying to find a cure, cancer is all to commonplace anymore.

Ok.  I was run over by a car when I was 12 and my brian has been malfuctioning ever since.  I am now 50 on disability.  Try living on 1200 bucks a month with most $$$ going to non-generic drugs..  Can't work can't have relationships.  My mom didn't even care when I tried to off myself.  Didn't even call or send a card.  My life is one lock-up to another while they adjust meds that are only killing me.  Now that's a cure!  Best thing is I am so out of it most of the time I don't know if what I am thinking/feeling is real or not.  Hell, I sure still type well.  At least until my heart stops or I can't breath.  Keep on fighting people!  Cancer is a blessing.  

Rather than focusing on one particular type of cancer, we need to be focusing on cancer in general, and focusing on the main causes of it; pollutants and toxins in our environment, the fact that our food lacks nutrients and we constantly have useless calories pushed on us instead of nutrition, as well as genetic factors. Of course, the fact that focusing on the first two would cause some multi-million dollar industries a great deal of grief means the focus will remain on detection after the fact and silly little pink crap rather than genuine prevention.

I personally find pink ribbons, teddy bears and such to be very off-putting; it's very infantalizing, and I think, dis-empowering. I'm not a pink, girly type of woman, and the last thing I would want if doing battle a potentially deadly illness would be to be surrounded with images that made me feel like a little girl. Barbara Ehrenreich just put out a book called  "Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America" in which she makes this case in regards to her own breast cancer experience.

I understand that many see the OVER abundance of pink during the month of October and that little attention is paid to other cancer awareness months. I am the co-teacher of a breast cancer survivor. I do what I can to help raise awareness of breast cancer in her honor. If that means using a coupon, I do. She does research about the money donated to breast cancer research. She has recently found that now they can give you a number from your tissue that would let you know if you were a candidate for chemo or not. If they had this information 3 years ago, she might not have had to go through the pain and sickness that comes with chemo. Through those few cents donated to the breast cancer research foundation helps provide information such as this so that others can find better ways to help their particular cancer. In our community, we have an abundance of support for breast cancer awareness. Through donations and basket auctions, groups raise money to help women, who otherwise cannot afford, a mammogram. Early detection is the best prevention. I proudly wear my PINK during the month of October to support breast cancer awareness.

As a Stage Four Kidney Cancer Patient, the companies should donate the money being raised to all types of cancer, therefore it should be a purple campaign which is the universal color for all types of cancer.  Whereas the pink campaign is only going to breast cancer.  SO EVERYONE PLEASE HAVE THIS CAMPAIGN CHANGED TO PURPLE NOT PINK, SO ALL CANCER PATIENTS MAY BENEFIT.    Thank you

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

                                              -Ben Franklin

This article is dead right! Over 8 years ago I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer at the age of 38 and until that time had no idea that what I was eating could possibly be making me sick.  

I am frustrated with the no news nonsense of monthly breast exams and yearly mammograms when yet another childhood friend is buried at the age of 44.   Who makes money when I stopped eating dairy products or meat that had been administered growth hormones?  Who is telling the public that the food supply is making us sick ?  The American Cancer Society?  The government?  The food industry sponsored food pyramid?  Those of us that want to prevent a reoccurence are the only ones that are listening and finally organizations suh as this are speaking up!

So, until the real message is prevention I encourage everyone to avoid any product with a pink ribbon.

If we are what we eat...are you cheap, fast and easy?

I believe her point is that it is better to make a direct contribution to fight against breast cancer than to but the products unless you need them. By doing this, more money goes to fight the siseae. I believe in this cause and do make my contributions. I am curious about something. Are you aware that heart disease is the number one killer of women?

I would have to agree with the majority of people here. Enough with the pink. There are so many cancers out there. They have their slogon on everything. My mother passed of lung cancer and I lost my sister to lukemia. I wish they would get real agressive with these and other cancers. Have they had any break throughs with the breast cancer.???

i think it would be nice to see the same amout of effert ot find cuers for all cansers and not just the one evern though breast cancer is big  all canser have almost the same effect on the body just in differn places and some there is no cuer at all i hope that people will think of the

As someone who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three years ago, I ponder these same questions about autoimmune diseases (all cancer included).  I receive at least three mailings from different MS groups to give more money to 'the cause".  So where is all that money going? And for the record, heart disease kills more women than any other disease.  That being said, I have had several friends diagnosed with breast cancer and certainly pray for a cure.  I would hate to image that monies given to the research of any "incurable" disease was being misused to line pockets and pad marketing campaigns, though I'm not totally convinced it doesn't happen.  I would love to see how the money for breast cancer is allocated because the marketing is everywhere, and prevelant not just in the month of October.  

i was diagnosed with breast cancer in July  at the age of 35. I start chemotherapy this Thursday.  Until this year I never paid much attention to Breast Cancer Awareness month, it never occurred to me to buy something pink just because it supported a cause.  

Now I see things differently and honestly I appreciate anyone or company that is willing to donate their money, time or effort to finding a cure or helping those affected and their families.  I am very fortunate to have access to excellent insurance, top of the line care and a supportive network of family and friends, I know not everyone is in the same boat.

Why is it necessary to find fault or look for the ulterior motive when people/companies attempt to support a cause?

Sorry, but i disagree. The only time a campaign is Too effective is when we have a cure.

Interesting, I'd just had a conversation with my wife about this. As usual, with something so noble, companies have to get on the politically correct bandwagon and throw money at this in an attempt to guilt consumers into buying their products or other organizations can be seen as "pro"  so they don't get a bad rap. What about other cancers too?

are you kiddng me????????  With all the bad things going on in this world and this is what people are going to complain about?! If you don't like the fact that that pink ribbon is on a product then don't buy it, but don't complain when you, your mother, daughter or sister gets breast cancer. as a matter of fact, that includes all men also. Just because this is so widely publicized only shows what can happen when people pull together. My mother had breast cancer and by the grace of god and advances in medicine, partly due to the money raised through the foundation, she is going to be ok. I cannot believe this is even an issue. They are testing to see what causes breast cancer, where do you think the blood test to detect if a person has higher chance of breast cancer. Being in the medical field for nearly 20 years and family for my entire life, you learn the importance of both cure and cause and this foundation is doing both. Look how much earlier they are catching and treating, instead of making funeral plans. Everone has a right to their own opinion, I am just so glad not everyone feels like this is a negative thing.

While I do understand where she is coming from, I think we should continue this fight against cancer, Since my mother died when her breast cancer spread to the lungs I worry about me, my daughter , my tiwn sons and my 2 granchildren because of genetics. I believe in looking for cures so much that at age 50 I designed and had a tattoo put on ankle that starts with the cancer symbol and yes it is pinK. I get ask about it often. So when someone ask I tell them to check themselves for lumps whether they are men or women!

Many of us suffer from other diseases that we wish had the sort of funding that Breast Cancer has, My dad's own office does jeans days - everyone has to pay $5 - he refuses to ask if maybe they could do a few for people that have Multiple Sclerosis like me. His former boss even diagnosed me. You would think people would be more receptive to alternatives to benefit all the myriad other illnesses out there. I will never say which is worse. All of them are horrible in thier own ways. Think for yourselves people - do some research and give money to charities that you believe in. I give money to cancer research because my paternal Grandmother had terminal lung and other cancers, not because of all the pink ribbons I see. By the way MS ribbons are silver and multifaceted because of all the things that can happen. I went blind in one eye for 8 weeks, am gradually and permanantly losing my balance, have new lesions in my brain stem that are causing all sorts of funky feelings in my torso, I can no longer remember how to spell - I can speak Russian still, cannot remember things I told my husband or he told me two days ago and those are just starters.

My grandmother died from Breast Cancer so I am the type of person to buy something in the color Pink if it supports the efforts to find a cure for Breast Cancer. However I do this the smart way - because believe it or not there are a lot of companies out there that make "Pink for the Cure" products and don't actually donate portions to the cure. I do my research (mainly during this time of year when pink products are everywhere) and I read the packaging for info about what percentage is donated. I am all for "Pink for the Cure" products but you have to be careful about what you buy. Oh and to reply about what the article above said about how she would have to buy a bunch to make a difference - PLEASE REMEMBER that every little bit helps <3 and about the part that says "if pink products cured there would be no more Breast Cancer"...the products don't magically cure but they do fund the efforts to find a cure!! So buy pink and help research - research that could save your life or the life of a loved one someday :)

It's about time someone spoke up!! I am so tired of seeing pink everywhere. I am a survivor but I lost a very good friend and grandfather to Lukemia. I don't see any other colors representing that cancer. When I go to my local grocery store I purposely avoid buying those "pink" products. It brings back horiible memories of what my Family and I went through.  I support cancer research directly and not through purchases at the store. Believe me I appreciated all the support I recieved from family and friends but if another person gives me a pink ribbon product I am going to scream. Who wants to be reminded of throwing up everyday and not having enough strength to pour a bowl of cereal for your child. I certainly don't I am over it.

Ask a survivor (14 years for moi) and there can never be enough "pink" if the money is spent of a cure.  

This is a perfect example of a campaign being TOO effective.  According to the CDC, while Breast Cancer is in the top 10 causes of death for women, it is # 7 on the list any by a wide margin (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/).  Further, according to the National Cancer Institute, it receives more than twice the funding than any other cancer research out there while is only the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths with less than 1/2 the mortality rate of Lung Cancer.  Don't get me wrong, this sickness needs to be cured and understood, but I personally choose to avoid all the "Pink" Hype and contribute with time and donations where it is really useful.  If you are so quilty about not doing anything, then educate yourself and take action, don't "feel good" because you bought Pink.

This is all good! Just ask anyone who as a child lost a mother to this disease or a new husband,  wanting to start a family,who lost a wife to this terrible disease. Paint the sky pink if you can!!!

In reply to

Posted By: Prosckyboy (October 13, 2009 at 6:58 PM)

This is So over done when compared to other types of cancer and research in general. Take for example look at prostate cancer, almost the same numbers as far as diagnoised each year and the number 1 cancer in men but you would never know it and you don't see anyone holding marches or wearing blue whatever.

I don't like how people segregate this out by male/ female and cancer type, we need a common goal not all these fragmented agendas with not much accountability

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I do agree that there is not enough attention on protraste and other types of cancer, but that has nothing to do WITH the attention Breast cancer gets... Women (and men) have built this awareness, Its started with one person. You are one person and you can make a difference. Why not try to raise awareness? Breast cancer is "not" a "segrated" disease, men also get breast cancer. Maybe bring awareness to that? These arent men or women diseases or issues, these are "human" issues.

You no I was thinking about this the other day,I was wondering where all this $$$ was actaully going I had a grandma who passed away from breast cancer,and a friend who had both breast removed because of breast cancer and so I think of them when ever this time of the yr comes up. I have sent money and also bought pink products not because of the cause but because I like pink. There has been millions of $$$ sent to the Susan G Komen cause so the question is Where is all the $$$ going? They have been studing this for yrs. and you cant tell me that they have not found out something yet. If they find a cure then people will not send money [right]? This is sad so do we support the cause or what?

This is So over done when compared to other types of cancer and research in general. Take for example look at prostate cancer, almost the same numbers as far as diagnoised each year and the number 1 cancer in men but you would never know it and you don't see anyone holding marches or wearing blue whatever.

I don't like how people segregate this out by male/ female and cancer type, we need a common goal not all these fragmented agendas with not much accountability

I am disgusted by Ms. Brenner's comments. How can there ever be enough? The only thing I agree with, is more is needed in care and finding causes etc. There will never be enough done until this hideous diease is eradicated ! Ms. Brenner is very fortunate to be a survivor. My mother and sister were not.

some gentleman hit the nail on the head in an earlier comment.  folks there will not be made available to modern civilization a valid cure for cancer.  the big box pharmaceuticals learned their lesson when the cure for polio was made available.  the results of presenting a valid cure for cancer would cripple the worlds economy.  harsh but true.

blufreeze

WOW-I am surprised by all the negativety the "think pink" campaign has conjured up.  I myself am a 5 yr. breast cancer survivor but I don't speak, preach or fluant it.  I do support all causes because everyone need support (including homeless and food banks) and I too think that if cancer of any type was cured the whole medical-commercial world would fall apart.  Aside from that I do want to thank the NFL, the player, officials & commentator for there support of the pink.  It doesn't just effect women but also the men, father, sons & husband that support us, so if one time out of the month they wear pink more power to you.  I give to my church, I buy yoplait (not just because of support to breast cancer)but I like it.  Never give to a cause because you feel pressure you give because your heart directs you too.  Look at christmas most people have curtailed their spending because of the commercialism involved but it doesn't stop you from buying gifts.  The world of commerce is going to try to make a buck off of any cause they can (going green)you just gotta know how & where you want to spend your money.  At least with October being (breast) cancer awareness month I remember to ask my friends and love ones to not forget to get a mammogram, prostate check, colon cancer why hell why not a yearly exam period.  I think pink -it means saving lives.

Thank you OLLAMA.

I am sorry but the real cancer is most of the people on here can't leave there office cubicles. Stop talking this like it is a boardroom issue.  I definintely have to refer back to the authors headline or at least part of it:  Consumerism.

I have everything against it.    

OK.  We need to stop being "aware" of illnesses.  It's not healthy for our society to hear/see a constant flow of disease propaganda.  Corporations keep us "aware" of sickness and affliction every day.  Dedicating a month out of the year to concentrate on disease in itself is unhealthy.  

This article was fantastic.  

The person defending the corporation in this blog is insane.  It's absolutely insane to defend a corporation.  Perpetuating diagnoses in the public venue is done so only to reap a profit.  A corporation bought the month of October.  It's unnerving to share your birthday month with a disease.  And notice how most of the popular disease repress the female.  What about super ball man Lance Armstrong?  You never hear of his testicular cancer.  They don't even mention his testicle(s) in his bio on Susan G. Komen's website.  He's bringing "awareness" to breast cancer and perhaps cancer in general, but not testicular cancer - his particular affliction.  

It's proven that our thoughts bring manifestation.  Lance is savvy to deflect attention away from his man-ness while at the same time suppress the female.  If we are collectively concentrating on disease, naturally the disease becomes more prevalent.  The marketing, consumerism, corporate greed, whatever you want to call it is OUT OF CONTROL!

The lady protests too much.  With most cancers, we have focused on curing them not preventing them, it's the best we can do right now so why complain about that?  I'd rather have a near term cure than focus too heavily on prevention which might not happen. After all, cancer is still the heavyweight champ, its still beating humans on most fronts.  Both issues can be worked simultaneously.  

The problem I have is manufacturers who jump on the pink bandwagon when NONE of the money from those products goes to research!!  I saw this at Target. There were a bunch of pink baking supplies, but none of them stated if any of the money goes to research.

I have commend Brenner for her efforts on getting companies to stop using harmful ingrediants in their products. I have always know that things intorduced to the inviroment could be harmful. Along with certain chemicals in various products. Haveing had leukemia as a young child my mom made sure I knew these things. I've never relaped and I'd like thing it was because I was more aware ofthese harmful things so I've always avoided them. I think the key is to educate oneself as to what is good for ones body and what is not. As Brenner knew rbGH is harmful along with other additives. There's a laundry list of chemicals, hormones and additives and not many people seem to care or know about these. People wonder why they get cancer. Well I would ask what do you eat? Do use bug spray with deet? Do you eat alot of foods with preservatives and unnatural food coloring and flavores in them? Where do you live near a chemical plant or some other factories? Do you have a family history of cancer? These a just a few things to keep in mind to help prevent any cancer.

For a different perspective on the Pinking of America, see "A Breast Cancer Awareness Month Plea from a 'Breath Cancer' Survivor."

It begins, "t's challenging to be a Breath Cancer survivor during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What's Breath Cancer? It's the cancer that attacks the organ behind the breast, the organ we cannot live without. Its proper name is Lung Cancer. But I prefer to call it Breath Cancer, because it literally and permanently takes the breath from a jumbo jet-full of people every day. I bet you're wondering if I smoked. Did you know that up to 20% of people with Breath Cancer never smoked, 60% don't currently smoke, and most of us wince at the question?" To read more, visit  http://blog.beliefnet.com/freshliving/2009/10/a-breast-cancer-awareness-month-plea-from-a-breath-cancer-survivor.html

And here's an idea: Instead of buying Swiffers to donate pennies to breast cancer research, clean your floor with soap and water and with the money saved, take your friend with breast cancer out to lunch!

Is it overdone?  Absolutely!

I really cannot believe some of the things I am reading on here!! For one thing I think you need to be proud of all the pink and things that are being done for breast cancer obviously some of you have not been directly hit or you wouldn't be complaining! Second if you have some one in your family who suffers from another type of illness be the one to make a difference get out there and make some noise their will be others who support your cause pink wasn't started yesterday I believe it's took 25 years to get the attention it now has!!!  People this is a disease that takes lives I know way to many people who have beat breast cancer only for it to show up somewhere else in their body and they loose their fight!! Stop complaining about pink!!!! Get a life and be proud for those that "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!"

I lost my Mom to Bone Marrow Cancer last November.  We found out it is linked to thyroid disease and this is another cancer that you do not hear much about as well.

There is such a big push on breast cancer, it's horrible but so are the other cancers women/people have to fight.

I just think that maybe these companies promoting awareness could also put the sign of other cancers on there products to help the fight against them as well.

We are losing way too many people to cancer anymore, it is so commonplace--it makes you wonder!

I have nothing against pink or breast cancer awareness, I have family members that have died from and have survived from breast cancer. And lots of other cancers run in my family too. BUT there are more of us out here with other cancers that go unnoticed.

I have Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. I was diagnosed in Feb.'07 with Stage IIIC when I almost died because of not knowing the symptoms. I am now on my second recurrence with only a 10 month remission between each time to go on chemo yet again. I can't get a full dose of chemo because I was born with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and a full dose would make my LGMD progress a lot faster and kill me.

September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and I didn't see any TEAL ribbons or products anywhere. Therefore I am Teal And Aware!

While I'm not opposed to promoting awareness ABOUT breast cancer, companies should match dollar for dollar their promotions. I.e., for every dollar they spend placing awareness on their packaging they should equaly give the same amount to finding a cure for the cancer rather than expecting the consumer to do it.

I am sick and tired of seeing pink!!! I am a women, and I know that breast cancer is a big deal and to get checked regularly!!!! But what about all the other cancers? Why can we not raise money for finding a cure or what causes all types of cancers? I get floored when all I see is pink every October!!! My mom died of brain cancer and my aunt beat breast cancer. I understand that this remains a problem but what about the other men and women who have lost there fight or who are battling everyday with cancer? I feel like Breast Cancer seems to be the only type people are worried about in October. Where are all the other colors that resemble all the cancers? Why are football players not representing the color grey for brain tumors? Brain tumors are often hard to fight!! I just think that we need to think of all types of cancer and not focus on one. Maybe I feel this way since I have lost a parent to a different typr of cancer, but maybe other would agree that are or have been in the same position? I am over pink already.

Cancer "treatment" seems to be a big business to me. How many millions, billions, or is it trillions of dollars have gone to the big "cure for cancer", and yet open the paper to the obits and read 3 or 4 people a day dying from cancer.

I don't think the cancer treatment "industry" wants a cure. It's a big business and they make too much money. Like every thing else in this world, greed tops everyting.

I will contribute NOTHING to any cancer organization till they can show me that my money is acutally doing something more than lining researchers or some big excecutives pockets.

Corporations cashing in on a tragedy is despicable, I refuse to buy anything 'pink'.

Just think of what these two groups could do together. My goodness. The cure for breast cancer and awareness is not something that you should be a odds with each other about.  Work together. It sounds like both of you are successful for the "cause."  Think one powerhouse.  

And I love pink. When I need something, I look for it in pink first especially if I can contirbute. It doesn't matter what month of the year it is.

Why isn't there any talk of Ovarian Cancer?  A dear friend of mine had just lost his wife to think fatal disease.  It is a silent killer and their is no self examination for this type of cancer.

We need to focus on other cancers than this one impaticular.

why do people only seem to care about breast cancer? how many people knew that september is childhood cancer awareness month - where were all the yellow products donating money to helping KIDS with cancer? my mom had breast cancer, and even SHE hates all of the pink products - our house is full of useless things people give her just because they have a pink ribbon on them. my little brother had bone cancer as a kid, and my mom always wonder why people would spend so much money on useless items that barely donate any money instead of donating that money to help little kids.

i've got cancer as well, and i'd love to see some purple things out there for hodgkin's disease. hodgkin's is kind of put on the back burner because everyone assumes it's the "good" cancer and it's not a big deal. all cancer is a big deal, not just cancer that has to do with breasts.

www.papergownsupermodel.blogspot.com

i support cancer awareness and funding, but now that i have kidney cancer i will be doing all my donating and volunteering to kidney cancer, and by the way the color for kidney cancer is orange!

I think it's great that Dannon now too is bovine growth hormone free!

Something I never hear said by doctors or scientists is that one of the best ways for women to avoid breast cancer is to have a lot of children early and that they should breast feed them all. And if you're healthy to avoid all extra estrogens.

I don't think you can every be too aware of something, I am a strong supporter of the breast cancer cause, I buy pink, I participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I go as far as dying my hair pink for the month of October to raise awareness. For those of you who are so upset because your cancer cause isn't getting attention, do something! If it is that important to you that you must bash a group of people so devoted to a cause then get off your butt and DO SOMETHING!

For those of you complaining that you don't know where funds raised are going, do some research. Before participating in my first walk I did my research. I know where the monies go, I know what percentage is going toward administrative costs and what is actually out there making a difference. I also know that AWBC does not donate to organizations who do research on animals (another issue important to me). As for those who are upset about minimum fundraising requirements, think about what the organization provides for you; meals, snacks, medical care, facilities. And ITS A FUNDRAISER!

Why is it that we're so lazy to let companies exploit our feelings twoards brestcancer to buy their products when we ourselves can make a bigger impact than any other company? I swear to god nearly EVERYTHING I see at the grocery store has to do with breast cancer awareness. Are we really going to just let companies do this? Come on! Dont get me wrong, I would never bash any woman with breast cancer (I mean how sick and low do you have to be to do that!?) it just makes me sad that this serious disease is being exploited... The worst part is that everytime I try and endorse the blue ribbon, which is a symbol against child abuse, no one cares, but when you try and endorse the pink ribbon, everyone just blindly buys the product thinking it will make a difference. Breast cancer should be a serious topic, but we also need to keep in mind there are other issues. I'm sorry to any woman, wife, daughter, ect with breastcancer, I dont mean anything cruel or mean, I just feel that there are a TON of other people hurt that no one seems to care about.

I agree with one of the other early comments, my son also has epilepsy. I wish they would shed light on epilepsy. Both of my kids also have autism, what about shedding some light on cure for autism?

I am a step mother of two very young girls who lost their mother to breast cancer. every time they see the pink ribbon they want their mom. I've taken them to a therapist and they are doing very well. They love their mom and we/they will never forget all her contributions to these two wonderful young ladies. However, I wish that the ribbon wasn't put in their face as often so that they could look in the front mirror instead of the rear view mirror so that they could be little girls and enjoy their experiences, I am not trying  to be cold hearted at all. I lost my first husband and first son in a car accident I just want what they (our passed away loved ones) would want for us) a wonderful, full filled life with no regrets and our hearts filled with human understanding.

AMEN!! While I could not agree more that cancer awareness is critical in garnering funding for research to develop cures HOWEVER... with all of the awareness and education going on with BREAST cancer research we are severly neglecting other types of cancer.  My son has been fighting brain cancer for the last 5.7 years.  Where is the pediatric brain cancer awareness?  Where is the research funding? Our children are suffering and continue to suffer while doctors essentially are forced to make the children themselves lab rats with experimental treatments that have traumatic consequences and yes some success.  Why all the focus on breasts? Yes boobs are fantastic but instead of making a commercial declaring SAVE the BOOBS.. how bout one declaring SAVE the CHILDREN.. Breast Cancer has an official month, what about Pediatric Cancer? Put as much effort into pediatric cancer research as there is in brest cancer and lets see what is done about funding research to stop our children from suffering and dying before they even have a chance to live and experience life.

I think the whole PINK thing is overdone, I am an advocate for finding a cure for all cancers. What about CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS? This is represented by a GOLD ribbon, and I never see gold ribbons anywhere...only pink, September is actually Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and did you see any GOLD ribbons on the news, or a cereal box, or a water bottle, etc? NO! If the "children are our future" we are not doing a very good job protecting them from the monster called cancer! It is a horrible disease for anyone to endure, but especially heartbreaking when you have to witness a child who dies from it. All cancer's should have a fair share of the spotlight!

I think by now we are all AWARE of breast cancer!  My question is how much of the money that is going towards all of the pink propoganda actually goes to fund research of cancer and how much goes into the pockets of big corporations that are making the useless stuff covered in pink?!?!

Did anyone ever stop to think that it may not just be Breast Cancer Awareness.  October and Pink Ribbons can represent ALL CANCER! Cancer is all around my unfortunate family, and as far as I am concerned 2 cents is 2 cents that wasn't there before to help and find a cure for this horrible disease. i don't know about you, but when I see a Pink ribbon or Shirt or whatever I don't just think about Breast Cancer It reminds me of everyone I know who is fighting the battle or has unfortunately lost. The more pink I See the Happier it makes me!! If anything it is reminding us how important it is to be screened and pay attention to symtoms  of any sort. People need to quit being so darn negative and turn it in to a positive thing!! Life is too Short to be complaining about how swiffer is using the 2-cents you are going to pay anyway.  And if you don't want to donate 2-cents then buy another mop!!!

Why would a rush to cure be beneficial when they are making so much money every year raising funds at every level of our daily life?  Look around, the cure would end the cash flow and that goes against everything our health care providers stand for.  No cure in sight, no or ever.

Pink. In one opinion, it's an ugly color. To many others, it's a wonderful color and to others still it means nothing. But what has it come to symbolize today? Breast Cancer Awareness. I am one that thinks it is an ugly color, and I personally don't buy things with that hue, but I don't think seeing too much of it necessarily a bad thing. Reading all of these comments people keep saying "they are sick of the PINK overload." Are you just sick of the color pink or sick of the fact that it symbolizes an awareness for yes, only one cancer. What happens when blue becomes awareness for brain disease, or red becomes awareness for heart disease - then what? When you start seeing other colors that symbolize different awarenesses for other cancers, is it going to be a problem then? I agree with many that there needs to be more done for all the other cancers and diseases out there, but in another comment made to also step up and do something about it. Nothing will ever get done by complaining about how awful something seems. If a group of people can get together to effectively raise money for one type of cancer, then it would seem that it's possible to do so for other types. I say if you hate the color pink, don't buy it. If you want to support for the cause of your choice, then do it. If you're just sick of seeing an overload of one color, grow up.

On 10/01/09, inconviently enough, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I really want to support the "pink" products if it's something I need.  

But, it has been hard for me to have this in my face everyday.  I know that is just whiney- I wish she could have found this out during another month!  

Pink Stinks!  It has gotten totally out of control, I expect someone will want to re-do the US FLAG in Pink White & Blue next, just to raise money!  OK, the cause is good, but the commercialism is kiling it by OVERKILL!  How much of the $1.00 donation actually goes to Breast Cancer Research?

Hey, why not start a PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS GROUP, too!  We could use BLUE balls!

No one is every happy!! Too much pink, too little pink. Prevention vs. a cure. Good God people, get a grip. Support the area that means the most to you and leave people alone who don't agree with you. Corporations are pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don't so you all who are upset about those "evil" corporate dollars need to rethink your arguement. If not for some of those corporate dollars, there wouldn't be enough money for anything. I think it's surprising the corporations donate anything anymore for all the crap they deal with in return.

I am so tired of the complaining, whining, angst and otherwise polarizing debate about not just the subject of this article but everything in general. When are we going to put the agendas aside and really get something done?

I am a supporter of the actual research needed and it is shameful that for many years prior to the "pink revolution" that breast cancer was not high on the list of things researched and many doctors were guilty of the "lose them or die" method of treatment. But there is a more to women's health care than breast cancer. It is horrible and devastating to have breast cancer, but 10 times more women die of heart disease than breast cancer every year. We now have the "red ribbon" to go along with the pink one but the focus on cardiovascular problems in women is much less than needed.  With between 400 and 450 women dieing each year from heart disease I think women need to be concerned.

I am SICK of the whole pink propoganda business.  Breast cancer is one of the most curable of all the cancers.   How about raising awareness for all of the other cancer killers out there?  Pancreatic, lymphoma, and bone cancer for example?  I am now boycotting any and all things 'pink ribbon' related and instead giving my time and money to other causes - ones that really need the help.

I, having type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years, am a bit cognitive of this issue. It does seem that there have been a few diseases that the media has glommed onto over the last decade. I wish nothing but full health to anyone with a chronic disease. Maybe we need a "disease czar?"  :)

Ok people - why don't we think blue for a change and begin to raise awareness and money to conquer the scourge that is Prostate cancer that will be diagnosed in one out of every six men during his lifetime. What's wrong with going blue for a change? What's worng with stopping a disease that will kill 25,000 men this year (approximately 2500 more deaths than from breast cancer)! What's wrong with raising money, awareness and hope to stop a cancer that is actually more widespread than breast cancer and that like breast cancer is NOT a lifestyle associated cancer and that is as devastating and heartbreaking as breast cancer! When will we go BLUE!!!???

I think combining the blue and pink is a great idea.  For me it's based on the fact that my dad is a survivor of breast cancer.  I have long felt he had no voice in the discussion as the subject is often centered on women and breast cancer.  He went through mastectomy and chemo, the whole nine yards! What truly is important is that in this highly visual world of logos and quick recognition there is a symbol that embraces the masses what color it is is secondary to the knowledge that when we see it we know what it stands for. Instantly you know that you are not alone.  

As for people who refuse support based on their small minded sight of what illness gets more or less press than others. So what... We all have something or knows someone who has something or knows someone who has lost a battle to something. Bottom line is I pick and choose what I will support given its merits and what it may mean to me personally. If 'they' don't have enough fund raisers for 'what ails you' to your satisfaction then YOU DO IT.  Everything starts with one, you be the one and see what grows from it! Grow up.

No the pink is not overdone and never will be.

I, too, feel like I am in pink overload. Breast cancer gets a very unequal amount of air time and governments funds for research. What about prostate cancer? My father died of prostate cancer. A very slow and painful death. There was one man on here who claims the rest of us are “jealous” because our disease doesn’t get as much attention as the cancer that almost did, and might still, take his wife’s life. While I applaud your devotion to your wife and helping her through her illness, pray you never get prostate cancer. At the rate funding goes you will die before a cure is found or even close to being found.

By the way, one Aunt survived breast cancer only to be taken by an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor. Another Aunt (by marriage) died 2 weeks after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her own fault, she didn’t go to the doctor sooner, but that is beside the point. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and family members need to remember they are not the only ones in need.

Thank you to the author for being willing to take an unpopular and very non-PC stance, and for calling it as she sees it. We need more people who are willing to do just that all around.

readerinMN, Of course I know that.  There is also no credible scientific evidence supporting that or that  rBGH in milk is harmful, yet plenty of people, including the nation of Canadia and the EU, are willing to believe that hysteria as well.  This article itself contributes to the hysteria. But I wonder how many people donating to  the Komen foundation realize they are supporting abortion clinics or any other poitical activity the foundation sees fit.  If you want to support Cancer research, send money to the National Institutes of Health directly, or to your local Cancer Center.  More of your 2 cents will actually go toward caring for patients and supporting research and not to a bloated corporation more interested in it's own perpetuation and political agenda.

Can cancer awareness of any kind be overdone?  My mother passed from cancer 11 years ago. I'm an advocate of any kind of awareness so that others dont have to lose a loved one.

My husband and his crew are mandated to wear pink hardhats on the jobsite for the entire month.  

I hope the "sea of pink" continues to be in everyone's eyes until cancer (all) is cured. If this is the only way we can get cancer infront of the main stream then so be it.

Nearly 1,400 people die a DAY to cancer but all I hear is 76 people that lost their life this YEAR to H1N1. Don't get me wrong that is bad, but so is nearly 7.3 million die a year world wide to cancer. We need this to stay in the news anyway possible for as long as it take.

GO PINK

I applaud all who made the pink ribbon raise breast cancer awareness.

My son has Epilepsy. "Epilepsy in America is as common as breast cancer, and takes as many lives." www.newsweek.com/id/193586

I just wish Epilepsy had the awareness that Breast Cancer does.

Any suggestions?

This is gonna sound completely wild and off the wall, but I've come to believe they HAVE found a cure for cancer, but due to the enormous amount of money spent in detection, treatment, research, advertising, etc., it's not disclosed.  Paranoid?  Maybe.  Probably.  I dunno.  But I sure am a skeptic.

People who believe companies are promoting cancer awareness out of the goodness of their heart are being mislead. This is a marketing ploy just like others. Think about this way: if you go to the store and buy what you normally buy, you could take that money you saved by doing this and donate it to a charity of your choosing and I guarentee you it would be alot more then the few cents you are giving by buying "pink". The only thing buying "pink" accomplishes is making the company more money than it would otherwise have made.

Stupid sheeple. WHO do you know that doesn't know about breast cancer by now? Everyone knows about it. Sure, you buy your pink this and pink that, and you walk you five hundred miles and you raise your hundreds or thousands of dollars all by your big self. Great. It's good effort, but none of us know where that's actually going to. A "cure?" What a joke.

My utmost respect to all of you who do your part to raise money - truly. However, their definition of "cure" is FAR different that ours is. Their cure is an incredibly expensive and risky drug or other type of treatment that will only be marginally better than chemo. If Big Pharma wanted to cure your disease, it would be nonexistent. They'd lose money because no one would have the illness. They want a drug that you, their pawn, will have to rely on for the rest of your life.

Folks, the real "cure" isn't - it's PREVENTION. Few dollars are actually being invested in this rather than a cure. If you don't have the disease in the first place, you don't need the headaches, the heartaches, the time, the money to be wasted on fussing over it. You can give a trillion dollars by yourself to any beast cancer charity in the world and it would not solve a damn thing. We need to change our lifestyles, not take more drugs.

Take a look at what the healthiest people on earth are eating, how they're living - NOT what the sickest people (Westerners) are doing. That's your cure right there - LIFESTYLE CHANGE. Not buying little pink thingies and walking a hundred miles. I'll go to my grave knowing this is true. Never are we going to find a cure for any of the 'big' diseases out there. Never.

Don't leave YOUR health in the hands of SOMEONE ELSE.

The amount of $ being made commercially via the products versus the actual amount raised in funds is pathetic but some would say 2 cents is 2 cents.    The amount of effort that is being aimed at breast cancer is ridiculous.  Line up all the cancers you could get and I'd select breast cancer because it is one of the most curable cancers out there.  No, of course, not everyone is cured but look at the odds.  Take brain cancer, which my husband died from at the age of 38, or pancreatic cancer, which another friend is dying from in his early 40's, - these are NOT cancers you want to get.  They are death sentences.  Why?  Because they aren't sexy nor can they be used to rip at the heart strings like poor women with breast cancer.  My 81 year old mother-in-law was just diagnosed with breast cancer and we have no concern it will kill her.  Not because she's old and will die of old age anyway but because so much $ has been thrown at research for it that it has become so curable.  

I would ask the cancer researchers to throw half that much $ at one of the deadliest cancers and give us hope.  I refuse to buy something pink.  My $ goes for brain tumor patients.

Someone posted that we should band together and make a fuss so that 'our' cancers get the attention they deserve.  There aren't enough patients or families around to create a fraction of the # that will band together for breast cancer.  Does that make these other cancers less important in terms of a cure?  That depends on which one YOU get.

Bravo for what Komen has done for breast cancer but the rest of the cancer world begs and pleads that you help out where help is so desperately needed.  Turn the pink into a rainbow effort and spread the wealth.

I understand the need to find a cure for breast cancer. I feel what all these women have gone through and are going through. But what about all the other illnesses out there that also need a cure? I have had Lupus for the past 5 years. There is a "Lupus Awareness" month also, yet I don't see people wearing purple ( that's the color that is used) or stores offering to donate cents to find a cure. Breast cancer and other forms of cancer can be treated and cured for the most part. People are dieing everyday from Lupus because there is no way to really treat it and no cure. It's been 50 years since any medications have come out for treating Lupus. Do any of you really know what Lupus is? Read about it

MDHPIPER!

I was waiting for you.  My lovely wife Gail had 3/4's of her breasts removed in 1995.  So that makes you what about 8?  Get a grip.  A rip-off is a rip-off.

Mind you I am not the least bit angry that my wifes  tatties are deformed now.  No way no how.  I always loved her for her mind and our 2 beautiful children.

I'm so so glad that someone addressed this "Pink Overlaod". I am really sick of it. Pink candy, pink chap-stick, pink pots & pans, and on & on. We get it, It is an important disease, but it is not the only one. I have friends who have been diagnosed with it and supported them by donating to walks and buying other things in their memory. However, in the past year this pink overlaod has been blown totally over board. It really shows where we are when it comes to single-ling out particular diseases in this society and having sympathy for one and not for the other. I WISH the AIDS epidemic got the same attention that Breast Cancer does during AIDS Awareness Month. But I betcha it will NOT!

Sorry, I agree with this article.  Marketers are getting rich off of women's tragedies.

I've always despised the color pink (tho I'm a woman), so I donate to the cause in other ways that don't waste money in marketing pink products.  Anything for a buck.

I'm a one-year breast cancer survivor and I'm really ambivalent about this. I do think the whole pink product thing has gotten a bit carried away (I don't care to purchase a pink kitchen shears or vacuum cleaner, thank you very much), and with the tidal wave of events going on, several of which I have attended over the past week, I've often thought I'd sure feel left out of the party if I had colon cancer. But we also have to realize that there is something so deeply personal about a woman's breasts. They're more symbolic than a colon could ever hope to be; perhaps that's why they get so much sympathy. My brother in law and I were comparing notes when his bladder cancer reoccured while I was facing a mastectomy. I got tons of flowers, he got a couple of cards. We laughed about it but it's true. I think the best thing to come out of this debate, which I think is needed, is that it is not solved just because we celebrate survivors and "shop for a cure." We need to remember breast cancer is still killing women.

To mstarman - I'm not whining.  I'm very involved in ACS Relay For Life.  I've been doing it for 10 years.  My city has raised three quarters of a million dollars for cancer research and to help those affected by cancer now.  I've walked so many miles, I've lost count.  And I've personally raised $54,000 for the cause.  I don't have a problem with the cancer awareness.  I just think we all need to realize that there are many, many cancers out there that people are ignoring.  They're not as well known as breast cancer or talked about as much. But theyr'e just as important.  Relay is a great way to raise money for all cancer.  That's what we should be focused on - all kinds.  I've talked to people who have had cervical, ovarian, liver, anal, colorectal, etc., etc.  They all need to feel someone is paying as much attention to them as breast cancer.  And for the record, my very best friend of 38 years was diagnosed two years ago with breast cancer so it's very personal to me.  But everyone affected by cancer needs help.  I just think we kind of need to make a difference to all cancer patients.  Get involved in Relay For Life, folks.  There's one somewhere close to you - not sure of the time of year - that depends on where you live.  But it's an experience you won't forget.  We honor survivors and they walk the first lap of our 18-hour event.  It's a huge rush to see those who have fought this horrible disease and won.  We do a luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. with bags with candles in them lined around the track.  We light them for those who have won their battle and those who have lost.  It's something that will live with you forever.  Check it out.  Guess I'm a bit passionate about this since I've known too many people with all kinds of cancer including breast.  We can all make a difference to all those affected.  Please reach out and commit to fighting back.  And by the way, I didn't really see anyone whining - just expressing an opinion.

The sad thing is that the cork soccers who are useing the pink are only thinking of one thing... green!!!  I think it's a great cause and however it gets it's funding is awesome, I just hope that the peole who are riding it's coat-tails get the bad karma that is coming to them for using peoples suffering to sell their products.

To mstarman - I'm not whining.  I'm very involved in ACS Relay For Life.  I've been doing it for 10 years.  My city has raised three quarters of a million dollars for cancer research and to help those affected by cancer now.  I've walked so many miles, I've lost count.  And I've personally raised $54,000 for the cause.  I don't have a problem with the cancer awareness.  I just think we all need to realize that there are many, many cancers out there that people are ignoring.  They're not as well known as breast cancer or talked about as much. But theyr'e just as important.  Relay is a great way to raise money for all cancer.  That's what we should be focused on - all kinds.  I've talked to people who have had cervical, ovarian, liver, anal, colorectal, etc., etc.  They all need to feel someone is paying as much attention to them as breast cancer.  And for the record, my very best friend of 38 years was diagnosed two years ago with breast cancer so it's very personal to me.  But everyone affected by cancer needs help.  I just think we kind of need to make a difference to all cancer patients.  Get involved in Relay For Life, folks.  There's one somewhere close to you - not sure of the time of year - that depends on where you live.  But it's an experience you won't forget.  We honor survivors and they walk the first lap of our 18-hour event.  It's a huge rush to see those who have fought this horrible disease and won.  We do a luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. with bags with candles in them lined around the track.  We light them for those who have won their battle and those who have lost.  It's something that will live with you forever.  Check it out.  Guess I'm a bit passionate about this since I've known too many people with all kinds of cancer including breast.  We can all make a difference to all those affected.  Please reach out and commit to fighting back.  And by the way, I didn't really see anyone whining - just expressing an opinion.

i agree w/ one of the other comments made on 10/13.  there are so many other cancers, in my family alone we have 14 people who have been diagnosed w/ some form of cancer, we have lost 5 of the 14, I'm one of the 14 survivors, Cervical Cancer, it makes me so mad when I see pink everywhere, and they dedicate a whole month to breast cancer.  I don't want to seem cold and seem uncareing, but I go out of my way not to buy anything pink.  when I donate I donate specifically to the American Cancer society.  Let's focus on all Cancers, and make them all important, not just breast cancer.  It makes those of us other cancer survivors feel less then important.

My wife is a cancer survivor. She had Stage IIb breast cancer which metastasized into her spine before she was 30. We will be living with this for the rest of her life, however long that turns out to be.

You people who are "sick of pink", who don't want to have to think about it, who don't want it "shoved down your throats" should have this happen to you. Normally I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone but you deserve it with your callousness.

Those who are jealous because your own special disease isn't getting the publicity or funding need to get off your butts and do something about it instead of shooting down those who are trying to make progress with this killer.

every cent counts. even if it's only two cents from a swiffer. i just bought a pizza and some of the proceeds go to breast cancer reaseach, i was going to buy the pizza anyways i just chose to buy it from a place that will donate some of my money to research.  it's really hard when you suddenly lose a loved one to cancer so i will always buy a product with a little pink or purple ribbion on it, even if its only two cents of my money going to help researchers find a cure. if there was anyway to save people from the pain of losing a friend or family member from cancer i'm all for it.

How long is just building awarness important?  Where and how are these years and years of donations being spent.  Pink is everywhere. We all want a cure.  I think we are at the point when its time to start looking at what how these dollars are spent and tracking the progress.  Let's really focus on a cure and not more marketing!!! Accountibility for the donations.

Why, oh why, do they insist on cramming this down our throats? Yes, I am sorry there is this disease. I have a daughter & 20 month old granddaughter. I have a mother, aunt, cousins, blah, blah, blah.

I am very much aware of this disease without having a reminder every friggin' place you go! Why do they devote an entire month to this? I think they went totally overboard with the NFL wearing the pink gloves & shoes, etc. I am more willing to give to the charities that quietly try to raise money/awareness, like Shriner's. My cousin was born without hip sockets & was in the Shriner's  hospital in St. Louis 50 years ago. They did, and still do raise money from donations for their purposes. They never burden the families with bills.

My father told me to always give to Shriner's. I never forget them the few times of the year that I see them standing there, ever so quietly & politely WAITING, not demanding your money or support. They don't sell items. They do have, I believe, the Shriner's circus each year. I will gladly support them. Also, if you were to ask me which I would support more~Breast Cancer or March of Dimes, I would hands down say March of Dimes. Just tone it down a few MILLION notches, Breast Cancer groups, & you will see more of us support your causes. Just stop with the pink already!!!

Pink Energizer batteries are too much!  Stop the ribbons.  Can't Americans read anymore?

The campaign against breast cancer including other cancers has made us more aware, early detection is key.  Where I have become doubtful is the BILLIONS....that have been raised for this cause. The research will be never ending, we already have a long list of cancer causing chemicals that are in our everyday items. Now the question is, how do we get rid of all of it??? I just don't see how many more BILLIONS will it take.  I would rather see money go to families that have been so tragically effected by this disease. Families that had health insurance, but lost a loved one because the insurance company denied you coverage.  Let's start fundraising for the people!!

My beautiful sister who got breast cancer at the age of 34 lost her battle two years ago at the age of 42, leaving behind 3 daughters, two of which I raise.  I went in for my mammogram the doctors questioned me and made me feel stupid for wanting one at the age of 32.  No No No and No again it is not to much, until they find a cure is when it will be to much.  If it saves one life from suffering through liver, bone, and brain cancer because someone advertised something pink, good grief it is sooo worth it.  Besides there are so much worse things going on in our world for people to complain about the color pink.  If you dont support it, dont buy the products its that simple.  As for me I wear a pink ribbon in rememberance of my sister.  

Hi, I am a 48yr old female living in MN.  My Grandma had breast cancer and both breasts removed.  She died this past year but it had nothing to do with any cancer.  I have walked the 3-day in MPLS., MN for the past 5 years supporting all women with breast cancer.  I will not be doing the walk anymore.  First of all I have raised over $5,000 each and every walk and that does not include my 8 Family members that have raised at least that much each year.  The reasons NONE of us will walk ever again  is because it is way to expense.  First you need to get a "certain" amount of pledges to even walk and then you have to pay around $250 and up to participate.  Way to much to invest.  The founders of this 3-day walk should be happy that people are raising this kind of money but put a STOP all the money a person needs to invest JUST TO PARTICIPATE.  It's very discouraging to say the least and this next time they will be out over $45,000 we use to raise.  There needs to be a lot better system.

Hmm let's see I am pretty sure I was 10 years old.  That would be over 40 years ago.  I definitely recall in my little stupid mind when my sister (who is still 12 years older than me) was working for United Way!  You know, the "BIG ONE!!!"  One day the parental units picked her up from the job while I was riding along.  Imagine that!?

So here I am stupid 10 and my sister blurts out:  Mom? Dad?  66% of what United Way takes in is spent on bureaucracy.  Well I may be an artist now but even back then dummy 10 knew that was more than they were spending on who was supposed to get it.

Now add in politics and where the other 33% goes to.  YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!

*uck pink.  I have my own maladys and I am glad there is no corporate juggernaut funding for what "I have."  Well maybe not...  the pinkos got it all.  

Just gotta create those jobs for worthless people.  I mean what else would they do.  I am sure at 10 years old they didn't even know what a percent was.  And I am sure now it's just a figure for tax deductions.

This is the sickest thing Corporate America has come up with yet.  I wonder who gets the Susan B blah blah blah t-shirt deal?  That must be one hell of a kick back!

PROVE ME WRONG/This whole pink thing is disgusting.

I am signing 9 when I was stupider.  

There are other cancers too that need attention-I feel sorry for the person dying of brain cancer while everybody feels sorry for the breast cancer sufferer. All cancers need attention.

What is marching going to do? Donate the money for a pink t-shirt to a research hospital, I guarantee patients and researchers will rejoice.

2  cents is 2 cents.  Everybody that is whinning about not enough attention being paid to other cancers needs to put up or shut up.  What's keeping you from starting a revelation and doing some of the things that Komen does....fundraisers, product partnering??  get out there and beat the streets and quit complaining that you aren't getting enough attention.  Make some noise, hold a walk, hold a bake sale.  Komen has worked hard to try to help "Fund the Cure".  How do you know that finding a cure for Breast Cancer WON'T FIND a cure for other cancers??  i am a 3-day walker and have personally raised almost $9,000.00 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and walked 180 miles.  WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???  STOP WHINNING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Amen. After years of watching people don pink duds (the NFL pink shoes and gloves were the worst) to "raise awareness of breast cancer" I can only say I could not possibly become more aware. My awareness is maxed out. I have no more RAM left for more awareness. God bless all the breast cancer survivors and those still struggling to survive, but enough with the pink already. I get it. Move on.

Pink is overdone...  What about Women with Heart disease -- how about Red Dresses????

I think breast cancer hits home with us. Looseing our mothers and sisters too it. Any Cancer Awareness is a great idea.

I lost my mother to breast cancer, but shoving dollar bills into a vacuum cleaner for cash is not going to bring her back. I have also been radically against mamography for a long time as well, and recent research has found it to be only marginally effective versus self exams.  I'd love to see a three day walk for the homeless, and how about feeding the millions of people going hungry every day?

I feel really sad knowing that woman are posting the "neg" comments re: "The Pink" campaign. Wow...who is it hurting? Surely is raising money,  awareness and prevention. I guess you may have to be a survivor yourself or a friend or family of a survivor or fatalitly of the deadly disease to understand..

C'mon ladies, it's only one month. And so pretty is the color pink!  

I cannot believe that people actually think so much pink is a bad thing!  God have mercy when your sister, mother, wife, or significant other is diagnosed with this horrific disease.  When you hear those words, the color pink is insignificant.  In fact the color raises awareness for ONE month out of the year.  I think you are petty and should suck it up for 1/12 of your year!!

I can understand people getting upset because their disease isn't getting as much attention as they would like. But you know what? I'm going to support which ever group I choose. I'm going to buy and/or donate or whatever the way I choose. if the NFL chooses to wear pink instead of gold or blue that is their perogative I believe.

I'm not going to feel guilty about it either. Its only natural that we support those causes that have affected us in some way. And its just like anything else: everyone thinks THEIR cause is the most important. People don't mind when funding for programs is cut as long as its not THEIR program that gets cut!

Barbara Brenner is right, just because you buy something doesn't even mean breast cancer research will grt very much, you have to buy a lot to make a good donation.  Even then awareness alone doesn't get rid of it, and what about other diseases?

Regarding the statement..."Pancreatic cancer has a 95% death rate and testicular and colon cancer have very high death rates, one because people do no get tested in time."

Well then let's get colored ribbons for those.  And why not blue ribbons for men's prostate cancer?

As a woman, my chances of dying of heart disease are greater than of breast cancer.

Yes, they now started the red dress for heart disease, but why is this geared towards only women's disease. I am sick of the pink.  Totally sick of it.  

Women ALWAYS have to start some kind of band wagon.  

All illnesses are a tragedy, let's stop this obnoxious PINK.

I would like to see more research and awareness for ovarian cancer

More money needs to be spent on VERY EARLY DETECTION.  Everywoman (and some men), as well as gynecologists and other doctors, are led to believe that early detection means finding a lump, or seeing it on a mammogram.

By that time - the patient almost surely will have to have chemotherapy.  (As well as the surgery and radiation).

We need to make everyone aware of the many ways cancer can present.  We need to find it BEFORE the lump can be felt, and BEFORE it can be seen on mammogran.  We need to offer ultrasound when any suspicion of cancer exists.

I am one of an incredible number of women who have gone to a gynecologist, shown a known symptom of breast cancer, and been told that "that is not the way breat cancer presents, and I am sure that it is not anything".  THAT WAS AUGUST OF 2009!!!

I have two weeks of radiation to go.  Fortuneatly I "pushed" the Dr. for an ultrasound, and had a cancer that was so small no one could feel it, and it did not turn up on mammogram.  But as small as it was, I still had to have radiation, after the surgery.

Had I listened to the Dr. I would have come back in a year for my annual exam with a larger tumor and had to go through  chemotherapy.

We cannot keep treating women this way!!

I dont think they have gone to far until they find a cure i think they can still promote supporting breast cancer through selling "pink" iteams and i also like the products because they are pink haha!

My mother is only 37 years old and has stage 4 breast cancer. And she hates October. She hates being reminded on the highway that she has cancer because 9/10 cars have magnetic ribbons. She hates going to the grocery store and seeing yogurts and Swiffers and M&M's all pink and reminded that she has cancer. Even the stupid bank has pink tubes this month. All that is great, but these organizations and fundraisers don't help her NOW that she already has cancer. She can't get help from these people  because they only help with preventive care.

For the people who think that Breast Cancer is an overdone subject....Do you know anyone dying of it?  Do you have anyone special in life that has it?  Would you like it and see what it feels like?  Unless you have personally dealt with cancer, Shut the Hell up......................

I am a 20 year survivor..........God Bless everyone in their battles and pray they find a cure through this "Over Rated" Subject.   Some people, honestly.......................

I think American's are getting tired of being "hit up" everytime they go anywhere for donations and unfortunately it will result in less donations in the long run as people become tired of giving. I want breast cancer to be cured as much as the next person, but think that it should'nt be the only charity noticed. I don't see near as many requests for other cancers, and causes. In my small town, there are 2 grocery stores and they both solicit donations for breast and prostate cancer. It really bothers me when I go to the register to pay for my purchases and not only does the debit card machine ask me if I want to add a donation to my bill, I respond "no" and then the cashier asks if I want to donate. Yikes!!!!!! When will it all end? I and many others find it has gotten to the point of ture harassment, especially in today's time when we are just making ends meet in many cases.  Enough already. I refuse at this point to donate, because they are only two causes that these stores have chosen to support, and not others like the ASPCA, Parkinson's, Alzheimers, ..........When you can't enter a grocery store, a large chain derpartment store or anywhere else in town without being asked for a donation, it is ridiculous!

until you have lost someone with breast or any other kind of cancer, you would feel that way!  surviving or being close to any one who has survived cancer is worth celebrating - any cause to support more money going toward research to cure is worthwhile -!

I am a 57 year old female.  Luckily, I have never known anyone with breast cancer.  But I am SICK of all the pink out there.  I never buy any of it on purpose because I feel like it is being shoved down my throat.  There are plenty of diseases out there, and plenty of worthy charities.  We are all aware of them.  Let's stop trying to force people to buy things using the "sympathy" routine by forcing that awful color at them.  I raised 2 adult daughters and never dressed them in pink either.  

Let's leave pink to Pepto Bismol where it belongs.  

Wow I thought I was the only one thinking this! I don't want to sound insensitive - trust me I have someone close to me having brain surgery  today in an attempt to remove the cancer from her brain.

I wouldn't have such an issue with it if it went to finding a cure for several cancers or if it went to people who need help with medical bills who have any kind of cancer not just breast cancer. Breast cancer has a very high success rate if caught early and we have tests to help catch it early. It's not as fortunate for many of the other cancers or illnesses out there.

I don't want people to think that I don't care about Breast Cancer my husbands Aunt is Currently loosing her battle.. I lost my mother when I was 11 years old two weeks before christmas to a Stroke... no awareness for that.. My father died when I was 17 to Leukemia... so cancer does hit home to be as well..

Do you realize what you are saying?!?!

It is AN awareness for early detection, so men and women like myself will have the courage to ask, detect and go through the steps to having themselves checked out.

Money goes towards fund to help people find the funds to be able to detect if they have cancer, if that person does not have insurance.

I know there isn’t a month for the other cancers but this one is detectable and treatable and when detected early can save a life.

Pancreatic cancer has a 95% death rate and testicular and colon cancer have very high death rates, one because people do no get tested in time.

My grandmother died of breast cancer at 42, 42 people!!! It did not get detected in time.  Back in the day they didn’t have the awareness they do now and if they did she could’ve had a better chance. My aunt detected a lump in her breast about 15 years ago and 15 years after my grandmother, she thankfully caught it in time and is a survivor. Now I have a high percent chance of having breast cancer and I have been getting checked since I was 25, ultra sounds and mammograms after I found a benign mass in my left breast after doing a monthly self check. I wish there was more knowledge and help back in the 70’s and my grandmother might still be here today.

Sounds to me like you haven’t had someone taken from you or seen someone go through the pain and heart ache of losing a breast and feeling less of a woman, sorry a fake padded bra doesn’t take the scar and emptiness away.

KEEP PINK!!!! SAVE THE TATAS!!! THINK PINK!!!!

Hemming and hawing over whose cancer is worse or more worthy is silly and dangerous - not to mention that I don't think that's what this article is about at all - corporations cashing in on a tragedy is horrifying, I refuse to buy pink.

I agree that $.02 is $.02.  I'm all for finding cures and better treatments for breast cancer.  However, I'm personally sick of seeing so much pink.  When detected early, breast cancer has a VERY high success rate.  What about children with cancer?  Did you know that "gold" represents childhood cancer?  Where is all the gold?  I'd love to see $.02 of every sell go towards finding cures and better treatments for childhood cancers.  Did you know that only 3% of ALL money raised for cancer research through the NCI and ACS is allocated towards childhood cancer.  Breast cancer alone gets ~12% of all money raised but all 12 major groups of childhood cancer COMBINED receive less than 3%!!!  Somethings wrong here!!!!  Think you're tired of seeing pink?  Ask a parent of a child with cancer.... they'll definitely tell you how tired of pink they are!  Please, join us in our fight against childhood cancer... Our kids can't do it alone...  Help us by wearing gold!  Show us the gold!!!

I don't mean to hold anything against breast cancer, but I am sick of seeing pink!!!! September was childhood cancer awareness month and no one knew it, why doesn't the media start realizing that our children are dying from cancer at an alarming rate?  I think we need to get the word out that the new pink is gold!!  Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September).

I am a 3yr breast cancer survivor.  Yes, there must be awareness of the issue of breast cancer.  However, what about the woman who can't afford th medications she needs and her doctor tells her will give her a better chance of a cure?  I was very lucky.  I had the best insurance possible and was never denied the care I needed.  I watched women write checks for thousands of dollars to cover their chemo because the insurance company said they would only pay for a cheaper drug.  Every woman is aware of breast cancer every day she sees her breasts in the mirror.  We must help those women who are not allowed to have the best chance of a life simply because they don't have the money in their checkbook.

If you think this is overdone how about the drug addict with the white glove?? We have become a nation of the "HERD", not an original thought in 5 billion people. No courage to stand up and say wait a minute "is this good  or a waste of money and resources !!!!" nevadafats

FIND A CURE FOR CANCER!!! THAT'S WHAT IT SHOULD BE ABOUT. NOT ONE SPECIFIC CANCER - ALL OF THEM! CUTTING OFF PART OF THE HUMAN BODY IS NOT A CURE! IT MIGHT BE A SHORT TERM FIX BUT IT IS NOT A CURE! IF A CURE FOR CANCER IS FOUND THEN ALL WILL BE BENEFITED  -  NOT JUST ONE GROUP!!!! ALL CANCERS ARE RELATED AND ALL THESE VARIED EFFORTS IS LIKELY DILUTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DO SOMETHING!

I am feeling overwhelmed by the amount of pink that is forced upon us. My sister recently died from lung cancer. The number one cancer killer I might add. November is lung cancer awarness month. Will I see the gray color of lung cancer on my cereal box, or in the pompoms of some NFL cheerleading team. I think not. I walked in two 3 day 60 mile breast cancer walks. I felt this was cause I needed to support. After seeing how women acted and dressed in the 3 day I decided to devote my efforts to lung cancer awarness. It does not affect everyone who smokes, and it is not deserving of those who do. Let's spread the awarness and find out the real cause of cancer. Yes, breast cancer is a worthy cause but can we give some concern to the "other" cancers that affect all of us.

I have encourged Atlanta Bread and other firms to consider the following: Team up with breast  & prostate cancer groups for a joint fund raising. Put the Pink and the Blue ribbons together. This would offer the stimilus for groups of men and women who may be having coffee to discuss the two cancers and maybe all agree to "get the test" or generally open up maybe a topic that has been difficult to discuss.  

Breast cancer is definitely more publicized than any other cancer. There are other deadly or deadlier cancer than cancer. Why don't they hold such big events for these. I refuse to support all events for breast cancer when they refuse to have just as many events for other cancers. My mom just died in March and they don't have anything for the type of cancer she died from. My grandmother died from colon cancer in 1978. No big events or fundraisers for that either.

I think I've walked in plenty of shoes to have compassion for ALL the various diseases and afflictions humans have, and I'm not saying, nor did I in my post, that I support the over-marketing of breast cancer, but what I am hearing from a lot of the posts on here are "jealous"-type remarks pertaining to this.  I do support any and all causes, whether they are pink or purple or blue or gold, cancer in general, regardless of body part...heart disease, whatever, it's raising awareness and this much attention to early detection, preventiveness, choices and options SHOULD be available to all.  Slamming the "pink" because it's tied to breast cancer is completely ludicrous!  Am I asking anyone to be understanding of what I've gone through?  No, am I asking you to sympathize with me and support pink for me?  No...I'm simply saying don't discount the seriousness of it and what it DOES do to support and help families of breast cancer.  I can tell you right now, the fact that I'm here today probably has little or nothing to do with anything pink relating to breast cancer, but more the positive, don't back down approach I took to beating this disease so I can know my own 3 small children.  All the comments I read before posting my own, were saying how sick they were of things pink.  You want to walk in others shoes, then the same could be said about any number of causes.  It's just so typical and so thoughtless.  See how you feel once you are affected, or someone you love.  I don't slam fund raising for other causes or the awareness colored ribbons simply because they don't affect me.  Try thinking of the big picture and not your own private bubble.

I would have to agree, I have been diagnosed and had surgery for lung cancer, luckily I was at a stage one, and will be able to be cured, however almost every time I wanted to do research on lung cancer, and the different stages, everything always turned right back to breast cancer. Guess what-breast cancer is not the number one cancer that kills women! do some research folks!! Lung cancer is also not "the dirty little cancer" that should be swept under the rug. Not all lung cancers are caused by smoking-guess what I do not/have not smoked! And I still got lung cancer-where are the races, anc Avon events for that? where are the water bottles and cupcakes and candies for not only lung cancer but all others-each one has their own month! Lets give all cancer the attention they deserve. CANCER IS CANCER AND IT IS DEVASTATING TO ALL-BREAST CANCER IS NOT THE ONLY TYPE OF CANCER FOLKS! Each one deserves fund raisers and endorsments by all companies. Why can't we just provide the same amount of attention to all cancers not just one.

I'm all for helping women, especially those who are afflicted.  However, I really do not want to be reminded of such an ugly disease everytime I step into a retail store.  I do not want to internalize a breast cancer message.  Call me sensitive, but I think we've all got the message.

I am by no means against pink, or buying pink to support breast cancer....what worries me is that there are other types of cancer and other diseases that are just as deadly and widespread that get no where near the attention.

My 18 year old niece was diagnosed w/ Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Anyone see a major push to cure this?

I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 24 years. I was diagnosed at age 4. How many of your readers are aware that November is National Diabetes Month? Or that November 14th is World Diabetes Day? Or that the symbol for WDD is a blue circle? Wouldn't it be great to see a blue circle on those football fields and jerseys?

I hope and pray every day for a cure for cancer (of ALL types) and for a cure for diabetes. I just think that they should put as much emphasis on diabetes, or cancer in general as they do on breast cancer. It would be nice.

I myself think it is NOT over done. Breast Cancer Awareness is so important. I would much rather see a commerical on Breast Cancer Awareness than one on Vigra and all the medications a man can get to enhance or promote his performance! I think we should be putting more money into finding a cure for breast cancer than producing more medications for performance issues!

Shame on Newsweek for writing a story like this.  EVERY PENNY HELPS BING US CLOSER TO A CURE.  In 1978 survival rate for people with breast cancer was 24%...in 2008 we were at 96% because of projects like Susan B. Komen for the cure and they get their funding from donations...who cares if they are donations from buying pink M & M's or from straight forward donations!  

There is no such thing as overload until we have a cure for breast cancer!!!

It's virtually all marketing. I'm all for charity but how much product tie in to charity is reasonable and when does it become an added cost to the products we purchase.

The author should check her sources for accuracy. The two companies mentioned do not remotely control 2/3rds of the dairy products in America. How absurd! If she meant a smaller product segment then that is what she should have written.

Whether or not rBGH has been given to a cow is based only on the word of the owner of the cow. rBGH cannot be detected as a separate substance from the cow's natural growth hormone. So what is the point of making an issue out of it.

I hope it doesn't get to the point where every product MUST support a specific charity on the label in order to be considered socially correct. What will be next, the charities will start telling manufacturers that if they don't support the charity they will look like schmucks?

Yes! As usual men, in this case their own battle with cancer, take a back seat to women. Our general concerns regarding everyday living have become overly feminized and little attention is given to men's issues, it's laughable. They should push for support/cure for various cancers such as colon, prostate, lymphatic, lung, etc. All I see is pink as if it were the only cancer out there. Also, not to get off base, but take a look at men's roles on TV anymore and it's ridiculous; Gloria Steinem, eat your heart out.

So many people I know think I am crazy but I am not. I don't support or give money to charities that do cancer research even though breast cancer is on both sides of my family. I find it unfair that so much attention is put on being pink when there are way bigger issues out there. I believe in Darwinism and that some diseases and these "flu" epidemics might be natures way of thinning the herd and creating some sort of balance on our planet. With so much emphasis on being pink, one might forget about als, lupus, ms, heart disease, aids, diabetes, etc. Some of these hit us out of nowhere and some we do attribute to. Personally i think we are a long way from cures and for me there are bigger issues to put my money towards. Such as prevention and counseling for child abuse and rape and domestic violence victims. We have to make choices and right now there are too many things out there that are considered life and death. Don't get me wrong I dont wish anyone to suffer from these but unfortunately today there are all apart of our lives.

I'm completely sick of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

I am involved in a non-profit race that was set up to help fund an organization that works for colon cancer research and drug trials.

When the non-profit race was started they used the word "race" in the name of the event because it was indeed a 5K "race". When our state's chapter of the Susan G. Komen foundation found out about it, they THREATENED the organization that the race was created to fund. They told this organization that if the 5K event didn't remove the word "race" from its name, they would pull the $35,000 that they gave to the organization each year. Apparently they think they own the word "race".

Now I ask you, is that right? NO. They are bullies and they have no regard for patients. This race was set up to help raise money to help people with colon cancer; To help with research and to help people get into drug trials that may save their lives, and all they cared about was the word "race" in the name of the event.

The director of the organization that benefits from the race even wrote a letter to Susan G. Komen's sister and she refused to respond.

So every time I see SGK mentioned I bristle, because they are a bunch of bullies who do not care about people, only their bottom line.

Breast cancer is thrown in our faces all the time and everyone forgets about colon cancer, about lung cancer, about childhood diabetes, about everything else and it makes me sick because it is all about the money and that is all.

There are many types of cancer that are more terminal than breast cancer.  Enough with just focusing on breast cancer.  I had brain cancer when I was 10.  I am now 32,  How about looking at cancer as a whole and not just raising awareness of 1 type?!!!

For those of you who think Breast Cancer Awareness is overdone, I am competely appauled by your responses. My mother died when I was ten years old of Breast Cancer. It obviously was the worst experience of my life and one that I will never ever recover from. The fact that you people think that there is more than enough being said about it is ridiculous. There is NEVER ENOUGH said about it. I am so happy that the rest of the world does not agree with you assenine, selfish people. I am glad that I and everyone else whose lives have been touched by it in some way have the support of the NFL, Susan G Komen, General Mills and tons of other professional organizations.  Get over yourselves!!!!

I totally agree that the pink thing has gone too far. My daughter and I were just discussing the fact the the whole breast cancer awarenes thing is way too over done. My son (her brother) recently past away from Lymphoma at the age of 19. Due to his disease and treatment I met many children and  young adults who have since past away from various forms of cancer. We should be striving for CANCER research and awreness. It's an ugky disease and the treatments and potential cures are horrible. We all have our special agendas and mine of course would be childhood cancer for which I particiapate in events. But the goal is to bring a better quality of life to all and find a cure for all cancers.

Seriously, is there EVER too much Breast Cancer Awareness or Pink?  If this was a common man's disease we'd be hearing about it 24/7 for 365 days a year, but it's not therefore we are limited.  If you don't want to "buy" pink or support the cause, then don't.  If it was your wife, your mother, your daughter or sister, you may think differently.  Until your life is touched by such an influencial factor maybe we should leave the "choice" or the voice to those who have suffered.  How different is "Pink" marketing any different than "Purple" marketing for the Vikings?  Hmmmmmmm?  

To everyone out there that has a problem with seeing pink for breast cancer......lose your mother to it like I did and try to say that to my face....If it was up to me it would be breast cancer month....every month....!  Who cares if you are eating cupcakes or watching sports....women, and men, are dying daily because of this and leaving loved ones behind....so please come tell me to my face, at my mother's grave, that this is to much awareness!!!

I for one don't think it is over done in the least bit!  Awareness of this terrible disease is so important. I would much rather see a commerical for breast cancer awarness than for Viagra and all the other medications for men to perform! A disease that can kill you is more important than your performance anyday.

What an idiot!! Now we have people actually combating the good people are trying to do?!  EVERY CENT AND EVERY LITLLE BIT HELPS. Most of all pink items raise awareness and that is key. Awareness isnt needed????? please tell me she didnt really say that?

This has to be the stupidest comment ever to come out of a humans mouth! Awareness gets young girls to give themselves breast exams and reminds older women to get mammograms. This woman is such a baffoon Im in shock at her stupidity!

I commend Newsweek for agreeing that any attention and any money raised by consumer products for any type of cancer research is a good step, large or small.

To someone, such as myself, who has lost too many members of her family to breast cancer, 2 cents is another 2 cents spent on finding the cure.

I am a survivor of 7 years.  I think pink is awsome.  Because of annual mammograms and early detection, my cancer was caught very early.  I support this cause every year.  I participate in the annual Race for the Cure, I do the Komen 3 day event every year, and yes I buy pink products every October.  If these products can bring attention to Breast Cancer awareness and help someone find their cancer early than bring on the pink.

Breast cancer awareness is expremely overdone.  What about the hundreds of other types of cancer?  Why don't they get a month?  I'm not being sexist because women can get other types of cancer too (and men can even get breast cancer (rare cases)).  It's extremely unfair that far more money is raised to research breast cancer than any and every other type of cancer.

Enough about breast cancer and autism.  I want to know what I can do about erectile dysfunction.  I know it's a serious problem because I have to sit through commercial after nauseating commercial during primetime tv with my children.  I guess tv is educational after all.

Too much PINK ?  YES !!!  Amen.  

Breast Cancer is NOT the leading cause of death of women !

PINK has just become SO over done.  And done without thought

This is not a profound comment, just the reason I clicked on this article.  We were at a friend's house for dinner this week.  She had gotten some pink cupcakes at the store because she thought my 2 year-old daughter would like them.  Lo and behold, they were covered in tiny pink ribbon sprinkles.  Do I really have to think about breast cancer when I'm eating a cupcake?  This is ridiculous.  I am tired of pink everywhere!  Draw the line, people!

good comments all. i too am sick of the pink. my mom was diganosed with lung cancer several years ago and managed to beat it. try living in the shoes of a lung cancer victim, where NOT ONLY are there virtually no funds going to cure, research, etc, but a widespread view that these people DESERVED it because it's a "smoker's disease."

It does get really annoying w/all the pink everywhere.  Everyone is just trying to cash in on the disease.  If all the profits where actually going toward fighting the disease and supporting those that have it, that would be different.  Most of those that have breast cancer, need help all year and not just October.

to me, a well written article is one that makes me go "hmmmm..." well done joan raymond! the more we think, the more we talk, the more we talk, the more might get done, for this, and other issues. i was VERY glad to read that both yoplait and dannon ceased the use of milk products with rBGH as a result of consumer awareness and activism. corporate responsibility. now there's something to smile about!

The fact that you're doing an article about it being overdone, shows that it's overdone.   Look at what we have here.  October is breast cancer awareness month.   Feburary is Black History month.  All the months now have a special designation.   The public is continuously being asked to donate.   It NEVER ends.   Also, it excludes all the other worthy causes -- demoting them to nothing.

Enough is enough.   There are enough worhty causes that it's impossible to support all of them, at least financially.   Pick the ones that mean most to you and LEAVE US ALONE!

Ya know, I'm a guy.  My chance for breast cancer is remote.  Although i am sure that there is someone surrounding my life, I personally don't know anyone that has had breast cancer.  I have had other relatives in my family with other forms of cancer.  But for the Grace of God, I have never had cancer.  

So, when I go to the store and I want to buy a new mop for my kitchen, if i buy the swifter because it is donating cash for breast cancer research/aide/cure, that should be my choice to do so.  If i don't know that a company is doing that through the marketing that the company does,  I might buy the clorox brand instead.  That would not do any good for the cancer cause or whatever cause i am supporting.  

I thought about the fight against cancer these past two weekends more than ever.  Because of the NFL.  Can't see how that is a problem.  On those players who choose to wear the pink do so.  That way it is personal to them.  

Everything in life doesn't have to be hated on.  People rally behind causes because that is what they do.  Acknowledge that most of the world cares and quit qualifiying how i choose to pay my respects and my money to those who can benefit the most.

I too am someone who is tired of seeing Pink .  As a marketing professional, the campaign has been genius, sheer genius, but I think people have become blind to all of it.  There are so many more serious threats to women's health besides breast cancer - heart disease will kill 5x as many women.  Unfortunately the American Heart Associ has not been as marketing savvy as the Susan G Komen Foundation.  Sometimes, it seems that the breast cancer campaigns are only popular because it is BREAST cancer.  Society puts so much emphasis on the breasts, but I can't help but wonder if women's lives were threatened by anal cancer, would the cause receive this much attention?  All in all, support the causes that are important to YOU and not the ones that marketing pros have crafted.

I think any contributions are worthwhile, and seems like funding for any form of cancer research will help defeat cancer as a whole.

I was involved in the local Komen race this year, and as a result...developed a new perspective. One of the honorary chairs was a gentleman that survived breast cancer. He explained that his was discovered by chance while being worked up for another procedure. His oncologist told him that men are rarely diagnosed early enough to become survivors.

I was struck that this man stood up to talk about his battle with a disease that is predominantly considered a female problem. He was a plumber, so working in an industry where men are men, and yet here he was talking about having breast cancer and having pink waved in every direction. Truly took a man's man to make the representation, but why make it harder on him by associating a gender with the affliction.

I doubt anyone can argue that Komen has helped, and contributed to the survival rate to some extent...and probably a large extent. However, I think it may be outdated, and time to make a more broad and inclusive focus. Just an opinion...for what it's worth.  

whateve: hmm. I thought I made the point that I am NOT a breast cancer survivor and I don't have a dog in this fight at all. Who said start a foundation? Of course nobody has the money to do that overnight. I dont' think the breast cancer awareness campaign started overnight either. My meaning was actually do as much as YOU can for YOUR preferred cause. If someone else wants to do as much as THEY can for THEIR preferred cause, more power to them. I have great respect for anyone who does anything for ANY of these causes and would never consider trash-talking any of them. I can guarantee you that if it was heart disease that had all the attention, etc-then the breast cancer surviors would be complaining. There is no way to please everyone, so why waste time on trying? Why not focus the negative energy on positive ways to increase awareness of YOUR disease even if only in your locality? That's a start. Bake sales, walks, runs, raffles. Anything would be better than nothing. But of course that's just my narrow minded opinion-which I believe I am entitled too.

I really don't care which disease gets the most attention. I just have always thought action got more results than complaining.

FactorFiction, get your facts straight, and get them from a reputable source.  There is no scientific evidence that having an abortion raises the risk of breast cancer.  Fear mongers like you contribute to hysteria.

Well, at least it's primarily a women's disease.  The fact that the big push isn't blue ribbons to fight testicular cancer.  I don't mind if resources go to help individual women w/ breast cancer.  Some cannot afford care, some are single/older, some are divorced.  Maybe we would have a cure if all those resources wasted on Viagra and the other recreational ED drugs went to breast cancer research.  If nature had intended for all males to have erections their entire lifetimes, nature/evolution would have provided for it, just as nature/evolution curtailed their # years women are fertile.  

The breast cancer campaign, doubtless a worthy cause, seems to have become something far more than a worthy charity.

It stands in stark contrast to the situation with prostate cancer, which kills (slightly) more victims every year, and is significantly more widespread than breast cancer.

It would be interesting to read people's comments on this situation.

Cancer can be avoided, more readily than treated. All of us have cancer cells, or the potential of cells becoming cancerous. If we leave them alone, practice a healthy life style, eat well and exercise, the chances are minimal.

Once we expose ourselves to excessive waves; microwaves, cel phones, computers, and the abusive and excessive use of diagnostic equipment on our bodies, including mamograms, we promote our own metastasis.

Cancer is and has become a business and a comodity in the U.S.

Don't be fooled.

I am glad someone is speaking out beside me. My heart goes to out the cancer patients.

DrMonica13@hotmail.com

Interesting article, but I think the rBST argument for yogurt is erroneous.  And you'll notice that the article never makes any statements linking rBST to breast cancer (like it does for other products).  rBST was studied for many, many years before it was approved for use by the USG, so including this erroneous argument weakens the overall sensible argument the author and Barbara Brenner are making.

I don't buy any ribbons for any causes, but that doesn't mean I am not concerned.  I too am tired of companies using these causes to drive purchases of their products.  I don't think the issue is that people want every single cause highlighted, but as one reader mentioned, the marketing machine on breast cancer (and some other conditions) are powerful enough to grab the attention of not only the public, but of corporations hoping to profit from the guilt of the consuming public.

Please...seriously tell me how puchasing a pink ribbon pin or a yellow ribbon for the troops is actually helping anyone.  I can't even keep track of the colors anymore...they are all becoming the same.

Wow! A "my disease is worse than your disease" contest! Obviously, we can't all contribute to all of these diseases (personally I feel Alzheimers and ALS are the very very worst if we are having a contest). My suggestion is that we quit the whining and complaining and each focus on those diease(s) that are personal to us. And I don't mean just contributing a few bucks. I mean be a part of an awareness campaign in your area. Do some fund raising things. Do what it takes to increase public awareness (and thus money) in regards to "your" disease. Instead of being jealous of the publicity (and thus money) that breast cancer gets, why not follow their game plan and do something similar for "your" disease. Be proactive, not reactive. Be positive, not negative. And no, I have do axe to grind here: I am not involved in breast cancer campaigns or anything like that. Ah, but its easier to sit and complain than it is to get out and do something about it, huh?

SEEING RED? You havn't seen red until you've talked with me.  I had a mascetomy 5 years ago, ALONE! Just my family to help. The promised help from the Am Breast Cancer support group never called until AFTER I went back to work,and then my schedule didn't work with "theirs" After 2 calls with the same attitude I finally called them back.  I had some medical questions they couldn't answer and when I asked what type of questions they COULD answer, she answered "What type of questions do you have?" YESCH.  Never got the prosethis is was promised, never got the help I was told was coming, but I DID get a letter requesting MONEY!!  Did some research. Less then 30% of the money they get goes to research and NONE goes to the women who NEED it.  And yet, the directors of the ABC live MORE THEN VERY WELL!!! The AMC is as much of a scam as a ponsi scheme.  May you rot where you belong.

kath30miller - I am not sure who you are talking about when you say people are putting down breast cancer.  That simply isn't true for me.  Being jealous......I have watched far to many of my families members die of various cancers (the 2 with breast cancer were the only survivors of them all) to not be jealous.  You bet your butt that I wish my mom's cancer would have gotten the attention that breast cancer has. Maybe should wouldn't have died when I was 11.  Maybe she would have met my wife and children.  So if I am a tad jealous I am sorry.  You say to stop whining and do something.  well thanks for the advice but I do as much as I can.  I don't have the money in the bank to quit my job and start a foundation to promote different cancers.  So I do what I can do.  Then number one killer for men and women is heart disease.....why doesn't heart disease get half the attention that breast cancer gets.  I don't get it.  And aren't you being narrow minded considering you are a breast cancer survivor.  Of course you are happy that it gets all the attention.  That attention is what saved your life most likely.  Think about all the others with different types of cancer who may have been saved if their cancer got more attention.  How about you walk in those families shoes for one minute before you expect us to walk in yours.

I'm in total agreement about this.  I am a childhood Cancer survivor (Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma).  It Ticks me off that America is being DUPED by this extremely profitable Marketing Campaign!!  I'm constantly telling my wife how this is a Joke.  If you look at how much money from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and this Whole "Pink Marketing Campaign" Actually goes towards research for the root cause and subsequent remission of cancer, it's pathetic.  Cancer is Cancer, there are many, many forms and I don't think that America or the World for that matter, should focus on only one type.  I am very sympathetic to all survivors and their families, my Grandmother is a breast-cancer survivor; however, we must find out what is causing all cancer and try to eliminate this disease that does not discriminate.  

People, instead of buying Pink, Please send donations to organizations like the American Cancer Society or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, where over 75% of actual donations go towards your choice of either research or family support.  In addition, donations to research hospitals like M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,the Mayo-Clinic ,or St. Jude's in Memphis.  These institutions are on the leading edge.  Put your money in the right places and good things happen.  It doesn't need to be marketed that our loved ones and ourselves get and die of cancer.  We get it.  We understand it and we despise it.

I think many of the corporations are actually exploiting breast cancer (Buy OUR product - we're better because we're pink right now - and we'll give 2 cents to research).  Cancer is a hideous disease - I've lost beloved family members to it - one to a common cancer, one to a very rare type of cancer.  My sister in law is a survivor of breast cancer...so far.  We should NOT be making different cancers duke it out for dollars  - that's one of the things I liked about StandUp2Cancer.

How sad that a woman with ovarian cancer has to be envious of the treatment her neighbor gets with breast cancer...how very, very sad....

I used to be sickened by all the Pink Ribbon stuff, too. That was before I became a breast cancer patient at age 37 with no known risk factors. While some of the cleaning products, car companies and dairy products are ludicrous with their pink ribbon tags promoting products that may be the cause of illness, I also appreciate the efforts made by strangers:  running races to raise funds for research, promoting self screening, contributing money to making mammograms available, etc.

All cancers need funding, research, and awareness.

I say, participate in what feels important to you and what is close to your heart.

There is also a funny side to this, namely that of seeing NFL players wearing pink shoes, pink socks, pink on their helmets and, best of all, pink gloves!  Seriously, though, when there is a cure for breast cancer will Komen go out of business?  

I am resentful at the pressure we feel to support pink fund raising which does not address research for finding the cause, or support initiatives to foster prevention.  I also resent how the breast cancer awareness overshadows awareness for all other types of cancer, especially childhood cancers.  Childhood cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death of children in the US, and although September was designated Childhood Cancer Awareness month, it is obvious that many of the big corporate sponsors choose to support the Pink effort instead. It seems that sick kids are too horrible an image, a reality too inconvenient to deal with until it happens to your child.  Public exposure to the sad reality of childhood cancer is an afterthought, in comparison to the efforts towards Breast Cancer Awareness. My daughter is 3 years old and has been under treatment for a childhood cancer for almost a year. Although her prognosis is good, I feel there is not enough effort to figure out why the big increase in childhood cancers, particularly Leukemia.   Where are all the gold ribbons????

I am aware that big business jump at the chance to make money off of breast cancer or whatever sells however, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and pink doesn't bother me.  Whatever get's the public's attention about the disease is alright. If seeing the pink and such makes us more aware about breast cancer and propels us to get that mammogram, then it's worth it.  I am aware that we need to be informed about all cancers, because they all kill and it's doesn't matter which

one because the end is the same - your're dead if you are not cured.

While I agree that breast cancer affects hundreds of thousands, I am tired of pink everything and avoid it at all costs.  Cancer is deep in my family, but not breast cancer.  I would much rather give my money to the American Cancer Society or another cancer research group.  I would love to buy something purple and support Relay for Life.

I, too, am a cancer survivor - but not well advertised breast cancer, tho. It is a good thing to make women and men aware of breast cancer and the techniques for diagnosis; however, there are many more types of cancer that present no symptoms and for which there are few, if any, non-invasive diagnostic tools.

As a cancer survivor, I would like to thank corporate America for supporting breast cancer awareness, I just wish they wouldn't do those huge promotions - "buy this pink thing to promote breast cancer awareness." The few pennies donated from the purchase of these products won't go very far in the was against cancer.

Personally, I do NOT buy anything tied to any "marketing/disease" promotions. I'd rather give the money I might spend on the product to research so the scourge of cancer can be wiped off the face of this planet. Cancer is a terrible disease - but it's not the only disease afflicting mankind. An awareness of cancer is important; HOWEVER, many women also are struck by other cancers that are not as easily detectable.

Did you know that every year, one in every 55 women is diagnosed with ovarian cancer? Or that  over 44,000 women are diagnosed every year with endometrial cancer (the lining of the uterus)? In many cases, the cancer is far advanced before symptoms become evident. I know, as I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer; the onocolgist believes I had cancer for 5-8 years before any symptoms showed up. Early detection is key to curing cancer and by the time ovarian and uterine cancers are detected it is too late for many women.

Wouldn’t it be nice if some of the businesses that support breast cancer research and awareness would also support research for other types of women’s cancer, as well as cancers that afflict men and children? Three of my close male friends have been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past six months - but where is the "prostate cancer awareness fund?"

Focusing only on the detection and cure of just breast cancer is shortsighted. The only way to beat all cancers is to support ALL cancer research.

I urge everyone to donate a few dollars to cancer research programs instead of buying "pink" (and donating pennies and enriching the manufacturers) - by doing this, maybe the researchers can wipe out ALL cancers and not only breast cancer.

I agree with this woman.  Breast cancer is not a fluffy, pink, girly disease.  The togetherness and increased awareness this movement has generated is helpful, but it is time to move on.  The real fight is preventing the unnecessary epidemic that breast cancer has become.

"Curing" the disease will save an individual woman's life -- the wife, the daughter the mother and precious to be sure. But failing to go to the source, to prevent it, will only keep us on the deadly track of a more and more toxic environment/and more and more foolish health habits, all supported by a multi-billion dollar chase for "pink" profits.  We need systemic change.

I tell my friends and family, the only question unanswered since my diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 36 is, "Why ... and how to I prevent other women from having to ask the same question?"

Brenner is right on the money. It is true that too much money is spent on finding the cure and not enough on prevention.

She is also correct that companies have seen this as a superb marketing tool because they can hang a guilt trip on people to make them buy their stuff, just as companies have fastened on the enviroment and use that the same way.

In both cases much of what they say is nothing more than a sales pitch, that has nothing to do with either of these problems.

What makes these a huge mockery, is there is knowledge out there already that tells us a major cause of the huge jump in cancer has less to do with automobile emmissions than it does with what manufacturers have been putting in their products for years, or farmers spraying on their crops. Just read the label on virtually ervery processed food product and you will see it contains what one of the worlds leading cancer experts said many years ago was the deadliest cancer forming agent known to mankind.

The pink theme has bothered me for a while it feels like it is being shoved down our throat and I truly believe not enough goes to the intended purpose.  There is shame associated in not buying pink products and frankly some of it is hideous.  Why are we allowed to promote commercialism on the backs of cancer patients?  Just agreeing and saying...

I find it it hypocrtical of the Komen foundation to support Planned Parenthood for abortions (unrestricted donations and grants to the tune of hundresd of thousands of dollars) given the fact that many believe that abortions increase risk for breast cancer.

I think it's really narrow-minded to be jealous of the amount of public awareness any one topic gets.  I am a breast cancer survivor, mother of an autistic child, daughter of a diabetic, family history of heart disease...does that mean I shudder when another comes to my attention?  Or put it down because MY cause doesn't get the attention that another does?  Do something to change that.  Quit whining about it and be proactive.  I don't skip over anything...I don't ignore ovarian or uterine cancer, simply because I avoided it.  I'm not partial to JUST pink things because that's the cancer I GOT!  Get real people...get off your soap boxes and change things.  Is everyone aware of the dangers of Pancreatic cancer because of the highly publicized battle and death of Patrick Swayze?  Yes, so if there is increased research and public notifications of this disease, should we then ridicule it because brain cancer isn't in the limelight?  

I agree with those that think the breast cancer fight has become too commercialized ... for three reasons.  

One, we need to focus at least as much on "curing" breast cancer as on preventing it. As a two time breast cancer survivor first diagnosed at age 36, probably as part of the infamous "Long Island Breast Cancer Clusters", I'm still alive, but this disease has ruined much of my life since then.

Two, commercialization of this disease focuses us too much on making incremental gains in expensive cancer drugs -- drugs that do not benefit the woman who has little or no healthcare coverage.

Three, a la the symbolic pink ribbon ,,, breast cancer is not a fluffy, femine disease

Your article perpetuates the myths that rBGH or bovine IGF1 in milk have any effect on human health.  Neither survives the digestive tract and the hormones themselves are not functional after pasteurization.  Epidemiological studies identifying associations betwee eating food X and incidences of cancer do not demonstrate causation.  Just because crime and ice cream sales go up on hot days doesn't mean that ice cream induces people to commit crimes.  Same thing with milk and breast cance.  You would have to drink a tanker truck of milk to get enoughpastuerized/digested  rBGH or IGF in your system to have enough to even come close to the levels already in your own body.  By that same logic, your own pituitary gland and liver are the cause of cancer!

I skip over anything pink. Breast cancer gets plenty of coverage. Heart disease runs throughout my family, so The American Heart Association gets my money along with with pet causes.

I am a doctor who makes cancer diagnoses every day.  What about the really unfortunate people who have newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer or brain cancer (glioma) or acute leukemia or a host of less common but far more deadly cancers than breast cancer?  Why is it that they don't have the political muscle of the breast cancer industrial complex?  Lets make this pink ribbon thing represent all cancers (even lung cancer and the mostly smokers who get it).  Breast cancer has benefited from advances in early diagnosis and now genetically targeted approaches to treatment.  We will get far more bang for the research dollar if society and the politicians spent more on the basic science of oncogenesis and on the cancers who have been left behind.

As a 5 year Stage IIIC Ovarian Survivor, this pink stuff always starts in September during Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  I have fundraised for Ovarian, but last year when we had our yearly benefit, we did it for all cancer research.  The entire donation went to a comprehensive cancer center in New Jersey and went for research!   Research is the #1 priority, but awareness is #2.  

We pay for our own healthcare and it's like sending a child to college in order to get treated.  Blue Cross Blue Sheild have different plans and nothing compares to a National PPO that takes care of everything. I can't find how much perscriptions are going to cost before I purchase them.  Now if we all want to work together, all monies should go to the researchers who are trying to find the cure for ALL CANCERS!  Then the next step will be healthcare!

lakelover - our reactions infuriate you?  I am sorry but my mom didn't die of breast cancer...she died of another type of cancer that gets absolutely no attention.  But I should be okay with that.  And to say 8 out of 10 women get breast cancer is so completely off base you need to look up the facts.

The backlash that I am seeing is completely understandable.  I personally feel the same as many that this has been completely overdone.  Why is it that breast cancer gets all the press and funds.  My mom died of liver and bile duct cancer when she was 45.  Those cancers don't even have a ribbon.  But that is okay...right?  Prostate cancer levels as many families or close to it as breast cancer.  Why doesn't it get the press and funds.  From my perception breast cancer is taking far more than their fair share of the funds out there because it seems they built a incredible marketing machine to drive the focus.  I want breast cancer cured like everyone else.  But I also understand that we need to be focusing and supporting other causes as well.  If you don't see that then you haven't been paying close enough attention.

It's bothers me to know end all the attention that breast cancer awareness receives, September was Ovarian Cancer Month, where were the teal ribbons, as I picked up my prescripitions from Walgreens there were pink lids and when I ate my yogurt there were pink lids, an as I channel surfed, baseball players were wearing pink gloves, golfers were wearing pink ribbons, an watching footbal there were pink ribbons. It goes to show me that my breast are far more important than my ovries. If the American Cancer would shares some of the money they get from all these companies that support breast cancer awareness they might be more cures for all other types of cancer.

Doesn't colon cancer kill more people each year than breast cancer?  

You can never see, use, buy, or encourage PINK!  Being a breast cancer survivor, whenever I see or use or purchase anythink pink, it gives me much hope and faith that someday there will be a cure for the horrible disease.  Any efforts from the media, corporations or advocates is well meaning and thought oonscious towards the 8 out of 10 women who will diagnosed.  Everyones reaction to breast cancer is different....just walk in their shoes before you form an opinion about the meager amount of dollars that actually go towards the research or treatment of this disease.  Just seeing pink jogs peoples memory to do self exams and get mammograms...the bitterness or negative attitudes concerning this cause just infuriates me!!!!

What about prostate cancer? More men suffer prostate cancer than do women from breast cancer. Why is breast cancer conidered a women's only disease? Last year there were 1,900 cases of male breast cancer detected. Should men get free mammograms? I agree, this whole breast cancer program has been totally feminized and made to appear that only women's health is important at the expense of everyone else's needs. Shame on corporate America for falling for this gimmick.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women; yet its importance often takes a sideline to issues surrounding breast cancer.  What surprises me is that so much funding goes towards researching and “finding a cure” but very little research (as the article highlighted) is funneled down the pipeline for finding out the cause of cancers.  Can you find a cure without knowing the cause?  I surmise because the causes are environmental and at this point we can’t change the environment…we can only learn to adjust in it.  As far as women’s fears are concerned, breast cancer is one of the few cancers that greatly affects the female image and our ideals of femininity.  In a society so fixated on superficiality and femininity, I think it was inevitable that social marketing reached this point.  What also bothers me is that many ailments (i.e.- heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancers, etc.) can be prevented with proper diet and exercise; yet our focus on prevention is minimal at best.  If all these associations and foundations put efforts into marketing proper diet and nutrition I think that would do a world of good.

Personally, ive stopped buying 'pink' and donating to breast cancer, they have enough of a stranglehold on the cancer market.  I donate now to prostate or colon cancer, as they are pretty much forgotten.

I have Mulitple Sclerosis and there is no where near as much awareness as there is for Breast  Cancer. I understand that this is a huge disease that claims many many lives every year.. However Multiple Sclerosis affects many many women as well.. I am a 38 year old mother of two teenagers who help me as much as they can get the awareness out there by walking wearing orange ribbons etc. There needs to be as much awareness for this disease as there is for Breast cancer.

Barbara Brenner is an annoying woman and it isn't only her attitude but her looks. She's disgusting on the outside and inside. Maybe it was the cancer that ate away her thankfulness that major corporations don't put that extra 2c into a CEO's pockets instead of going to breast cancer research.

P&G is a huge company and they give money to a multitude of organizations. So what if they tie it into marketing because it sells the product and drives higher donations while keeping people employed and able to make their own donations with money through internal company fund-raising efforts.

P&G should answer this woman by withdrawing their efforts and not donating at all. That will appease her, I'm sure.

What do you hear about prostate cancer?  Not much.  Why?  Not as many deaths each year, but still #2.

There is big money in skimming from breast cancer contributions.  You can even make a donation with a push of a button at Safeway.  Prostate cancer kills jsut as many men, but it won't get the publicicity because 1) it's near the anus 2) men don't matter.  Women think that they need more and more money for their healthcare.  Let's put some money into figuring out why women live an average of five years longer.

Hey, what about the very fact that by posting and showing pictures of breast cancer everywhere, people unconsciously pick up that everyone has it, thus pervasiveness creates even more breast cancer in the world. We have to understand how the human brain works and how information we're bombarded with unconsciously impacts our "truths" and "ideas about dis-ease. It's time someone starts writing about this. The media and parents learned decades ago that violence on TV unconscously influenced children's behaviors what they did and what they believed. Extrapolate that out to all dis-ease commercials on TV today and look over behavioural research out there and congnitive research. Too much advertising on illness does not do a body, mind or soul good.

I fear that Breast Cancer activism is blinding other needed causes in the glare of it's corporate overkill. We all know women who have had this awful disease. But we all know even more people who have suffered other forms of cancer as well as other non cancerous diseases.  The entire research fund raising effort has become skewed, feminized and genderized. Corperations are afraid not to support the cause and funding is raised is disproportion to over all needs.