Community Chat

[weneedtheson]

I couldn't agree more. May God bless you with many more years cancer free. 

I'm a survivor of endometrial (uterine) cancer. It totally changed my life, but since nobody can "see" what's missing, it doesn't matter to them. The pink marketing makes me ill. I have lost several relatives to breast cancer. I am related to and have friends who are survivors of breast cancer. Their cancer is "celebrated". All I hear when people find out about mine is "Oh yeah, my mom had a hysterectomy, too. She had fibroids" Ugh. Then I keep silent because then I would be the rude one. (Did they take EVERYTHING and leave her under 40 body in a shocking state of menopause???? Did her surgeon tell her that pathology screwed up and it's very possible that it's spreading anyhow? Did she also do radiation in places that radiation should never have to go???)

Until a cure is found, I will continue making chemo hats and quilts to keep patients warm during their treatments. But I refuse to buy anything pink. 

[Gram W]

@Blahblahvampemer.    September is the month of Prostrate Cancer Awareness and light blue is the color of their ribbon.

February is National Cancer Prevention month.  Feb 4th is World Cancer Day.

April is National Cancer Control month.

June 2nd is National Cancer Survivor Day.

There are individual cancers associated with each month and 32 different colors associated with individual cancers.    I wear ribbons and/or pins for the cancers our family has had.  I wear clear nail polish only but I do put individual colors on my pinky fingers.   This month my pinkys are painted pink.  I also have JR pins I purchased and wear.

November is lung (clear white), pancreatic (purple) and stomach (periwinkle).

My information comes from an old list I have carried in my yearly calendar for years.  Some information may have changed.

It is up to each of us to help raise awareness in our communities in our own ways.  I have been surprised by the number of times I have been questioned over the years about my pins and why do I only paint 1 finger on each hand.  I am glad to give the simple information and encourage them to support awareness of their choice.

[eddyandme]

Perhaps most of you will think I'm a wacko, but I firmly believe that many cancers could be cured.  However, I firmly believe that cancer research is a extremely well-financed industry providing many lucrative jobs.  Also, pharmaceutical companies are raking in unimaginable incomes by just providing drugs that help maintain survival, not eliminate the disease.  

With the brilliant minds worldwide, we can explore outer space, etc., yet cannot find a cure, for most if not all, cancers just doesn't compute.  Imho from a business/income viewpoint, it doesn't pay to find a cure.  This is terribly sad, but guess it's become the kind of world we live in.  In many instances people of a certain age are "expendable".  Have a friend whose husband has been awaiting a liver transplant for years and was recently taken off the list 'cause of his age, not his health:  but, they will keep the meds coming for the rest of his life.  So, probably, people with a certain disease(s) are expendable too.

[JaneMarple]

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@Blahblahvampemer wrote:

My mother died of breast cancer, and I've always said that I'm disgusted by the marketing behind the disease.  Just as many men get prostrate cancer, and like bc, it can be aggressive or slow.  Where is their month?  Where is the promotion of other cancers with higher mortality rates?  My dad and I decided long ago to avoid groups like Susan G. Komen that are nothing more than greedy corporations.

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September is leukemia and Blood Cancer month. I have a sister with leukemia and a brother who died from Multiple Myeloma. The color for these cancers is orange.

[Gram W]

@eddyandme.    I have to admit there are times I have the same thoughts about medical research and pharmaceutical companies,  even on illnesses other than cancer.   I would never voice these thoughts to people who are fighting for their lives.  They need my support in any way I can.   Winning these battles requires a strength and courage I am not sure I have.   It is 1 thing to watch adult family members fight their battle   I have a grandchild who is a survivor.   Watching a young person who has their whole life ahead of them fight and win brought me to my knees many times.  My family has been blessed.

[RainCityWoman]

I just lost a dear friend who used to post here to Ovarian Cancer. It's a killer. I also have lost several friends to glioblastoma brain cancer. Also a killer. My best friend, on the other hand, had breast cancer, did surgery, chemo, and radiation, and has now a clean bill of health. Pancreatic is also a no win cancer, or so it seems. Let's face it: Cancer is a killer and any type is always bad news to the recipient. I live in an area that has pioneered in cancer research and treatment. If I had to get cancer, I feel that I am in a good place to combat it.

[jaxs mom]

It's ok, I'm a cancer survivor too, of a rare type of cancer, I'm ok with breast cancer getting lots of attention. 

[2blonde]

My heart goes out to anyone who is battling any type of cancer.  I think breast cancer gets the most publicity because it's so prevalent (1 in 8 women).  Also, people of a wide variety of ages can be stricken.  Thankfully, the cure rate for breast cancer (when found early) is pretty good.  Other cancers may not be quite as common, but they are often much more deadly.

[NycVixen]

My mom had breast cancer and she is cancer free today. I do understand what the OP and many are saying. I can see what you're referring to.

At the same time, breast cancer became this ubiquitous due to the hard work of many people who fought hard to champion this cause. There was a time not that long ago when it was not given as much importance as men's issues. So as a feminist I guess, I'm happy to see that it's become annoying and perhaps over saturated because that means that all the walks etc. have paid off.

For anyone that cares for a specific cause you can take solace in knowing that with a lot of hard work and perseverance, your cause can become as known as breast cancer is. Autism is an example that comes to mind that has come a long way from a little understood disease to one that has a lot of advocacy.

[jaxs mom]

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@grandma r wrote:

I completely agree!  Many of us have or have beaten other forms of cancer.  Yet there is hardly a mention.  September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month using blue as its color.  Yet, it is not widely known.  We should all fight to erase this disease from our planet!!!!  And, we all need support!!!

That said, I have my own views as to why we may never see a cure, but, I'll keep that to myself.

Prayers go out to all struggling with this wretched disease!

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Cancer isn't one disease. That is why specific types of cancer have their own foundations and focus. They are each separate diseases, which manifest differently, have different causes and risk factors and different treatments.