Paper On Pink Culture

Known for centuries as the "dread disease", Breast Cancer, a formidable opponent of any woman alive today, was even more so in the nineteenth century. Women who were diagnose with the disease had very little chance of survival and were all too often subjected to excruciating and brutal breast augmentation surgeries, even when much of the time they were already terminal and the surgery made no difference at all. Robert Shadle and James S. Olson's story about our ill fated heroin Nabby Smith recants a particularly horrifying fight with this villain of a disease at a time when medical knowledge was limited, and Breast Cancer posed an imminent threat to the lives of otherwise healthy middle aged women.

This will explore the role gender, ethnicity, race and socio-economics play in the acquisition, maintenance and experience of health care. A particular focus is the interaction (intersection) between these elements and their effect on awareness, education, active prevention and early detection of cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. Cancer is a disease caused by a mutation and rapid division of cells. Cancer is a general term describing many diseases; essentially there is a wide array of types of cancers. This vast differentiation makes it difficult to combat this disease and similarly the differences among individuals cause the course of this disease to vary greatly, cancer effects people differently. Breast cancer is one of the more well-known forms of cancer and is frequently touched upon or glazed over in discussion. A conversation may start with “I know someone who has or had cancer” but way to often this is where the conversation ends. The discussion on breast cancer needs to expand, to further the spread of information and understanding of the many aspects of this disease. “Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body” (What is Breast cancer). Breast cancer can be found in both male and female populations but it is particularly, prevalent among women, Breast cancer is the most pervasive

Even though breast cancer is an important issue in today’s society and there are different organizations and charities that raise money for breast cancer; the pink ribbon is something that causes a variety of problems. In her article “The Problem with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Robin Hilmantel makes an effective argument and uses pathos to reach out to women by showing the perspective of a real person who was suffering from breast cancer, as well as use symbolism to argue how the pink ribbon is being used in a misguided way. However, she does not have a well-developed thesis and her evidence does not present any citation or where she got the information from which gives doubts on her credibility.

Why should we care? According to (Bender, 2012) 40,000 women and approximately 390 men will die this year from breast cancer. Cancer does not discriminate; it could be someone you know. It could be you.

It is clear that there is plenty of awareness when it comes down to breast cancer in general. Men and women are both plagued by this disease but it appears that this chronic illness has less attention with men that women. This chronic illness comes in many forms such as breast cancer which is in both sexes. Any form of chronic illness such as breast cancer in men and women can of course be totally terrifying for the person. However, it is important to make sure that both receive equal amount of attention, considering that this is a dangerous disease.

Beyond discussion of this lethal disease come the individuals affected by it. In the United States alone breast cancer is the most common cancer. It is diagnosed in one out of eight women living in the United States (Stephan, 2010). Victims of breast cancer usually are more widespread amongst minorities in the U.S. African-American women and Hispanic women are most likely to have advanced diseases

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women. Despite the many technological advances that have been made to detect breast cancer at earlier stages, it continues to kill more women than any other cancer. Breast cancer affects all women, but the mortality rates from it are significantly higher in Black women than any other group (Hunt, Whitman, & Hurlbert, 2013). These rates are especially concerning when considering that White women are diagnosed at much higher rates.

We have all seen the pink ribbons. They have become a national, if not international symbol for breast cancer support and awareness. Breast cancer knows neither racial boundaries nor age restrictions. Females of all ages and ethnicities can develop breast cancer and it is the leading most common cancer among women. Calling attention to this often fatal disease is important by supporting its victims, families and friends of victims, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Though males are not immune from developing a breast cancer, for the purposes of this paper, this paper will be limited to information relating breast cancer in females.

It is estimated that 39,511 women and 410 men will die of breast cancer this year alone. There will be 229,160 new cases of breast cancer in men and women this year. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women. My great grandmother who I look up to and is the strongest person I know, is a two time Breast cancer survivor and she believes that the organization Susan G Komen has made a huge impact on breast cancer in women. In this speech I want to pay tribute to and recognize all the wonderful things Susan G Komen has done in the research and cure for breast cancer. I will start off by talking about how the organization was founded. Next I will discuss all the great things Susan G Komen has done in the fight against breast

In Pamela Haag’s publication, “Death by Treacle”, she analyses the symbolism in American culture today that promotes constant charitable giving through excessive awareness and the channels that encourage it—social media. Samantha King’s 2006 book Pink Ribbons Inc. was a breakout disruption in the examination of the pervasive “pink” marketing campaign that happens every October. King remarks, “The most significant risk factors for breast cancer (such as genetics and age) can’t be altered by women, which is why it’s often regarded as a “blameless” disease. It attacks mostly women, who account for the bulk of America’s purchasing power. It attacks the very symbol of femininity, the breast. And a pink ribbon is cute and soothing.” (Frieswick,

Molly redden explains why black women are facing death when breast cancer take control showing an increase of mortality in them rather than in white women. Redden mentions in the 2012, there were forty-two percent of black women will die having this disease. According to American Cancer Society, the researcher discuss death rate toll is expected to increase to a colossal amount. In other words, Redden believes that the American Cancer Society said to be that these black women are likely to be in danger as disconsolate, for that reason, they will hit harder than other races. The author finds significantly number of high risk factor, which contributed towards black women. As a result, this deadly disease of cancer becoming an issue for black

Ehrenreich’s “Welcome to Cancerland” narrative resists becoming normate, she is critical of the economics and gendering surrounding breast cancer in mainstream culture biomedicine. Ehrenreich states that “more so than in the case of any other disease, breast cancer organizations and events feed on generous flow to corporate support (45).” Ehrenreich writes that “it is the very blandness of breast cancer, at least in mainstream perceptions, that makes it an attractive object of corporate charity and a way for companies to brand themselves friend of the middle aged female market” (48). Corporations make a profit while also appearing to care for individuals with breast cancer. The events sponsored by corporations engage with breast cancer on a surface level, much of the “ultra feminine theme of the breast cancer “market place” is “a response to the treatments’ disastrous effects on one’s looks” (46). The mainstream often does not recognize the treatment effects, environmental causes, the long-term psychological, physical, and social impact of people who survive or live with the disease, which Ehrenreich states. Furthermore, the focus on the appearance of women show that the breast cancer market reinforces patriarchal ideals and normative modes of gendering that Ehrenreich resists. Ehrenreich states that like the marketplace, the breast cancer industry largely profits, it is a $12-16 billion industry in surgery and treatments (health care centers, chemotherapy, radiation, drugs, and other options enforced by the biomedical industry) (51). Ehrenreich notes that one-third of Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, twenty-five percent of Komen of money is spent on advertising for races (51). The survivors who participate in races or purchasing breast cancer merchandise “are the best possible advertisements for routine screening mammograms, early

Audience Link: There is a large amount of men and women who are diagnosed with breast cancer everyday but they usually don’t know how it forms and ways it can be treated. Breast cancer is a very serious disease that shouldn’t be taken likely. Even if you do not have breast cancer, chances are that you know or will

Steingraber introduces breast cancer as being a feminist issue affecting women’s parts: ovaries, the uterus, and breasts (Tarter, 2012. p. 830). Feminism, in simple terms, is the belief that women and men hold the same equal rights and opportunities. In other words, both women and men must be treated the same and have equal opportunities when it comes to cancer treatment. Women's parts, such as the breasts had not been studied to the same standards as general human parts, such as the lungs. Though women breasts serve an important purpose, society sees a female breast as part of a women’s sexuality. Prior to the 1970's, "breast" and "cancer" was perceived as a taboo and hardly publicly spoken of (Susan G Komen, n.d.). So, if we're not publicly

Breast cancer is the second leading cancer killer among women, after lung cancer (Breast Cancer , 2014). Cancer is a word that puts fear in many people, especially if they have family members who have either died or survived the disease. No one wants to hear that he or she has been diagnosed with any disease, especially cancer. Many women do not take breast cancer serious until they are diagnosed. Sadly, once diagnosed with this epidemic, a person’s life is altered forever. Breast cancer does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any age. To prevent this disease, one must take the necessary precautions to lower the risk factors. In fact, there are several local and national events to remind people of breast cancer’s existence. Many