How we Talk about Breast Cancer

As an advocate for women’s health, and as the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I think it’s important to reflect on some of the stories, and controversies, that surrounded Breast Cancer Awareness Month as it draws to a close.

There has been some controversy over the corporate embrace of pink October, as some people think companies are profiting off of cancer. It is true that some ‘pink products’ are sharing very little to none of their proceeds with breast cancer charities. Check the fine print and see if money is being donated before you buy. While there may be some taking advantage, all the pink products and corporate partnerships are a staunch reminder that we have come a long way since the days when breast cancer was a taboo topic that few discussed. Thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and organizations like Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the breast cancer community has come out of the shadows.

While pink October has been generally embraced by the public, this year’s awareness month came with a reminder that “breasts” are still a taboo topic.

The Cheerleading squad at Gilbert High School in Arizona made headlines this month when T-shirts they made to raise money for breast cancer were banned by the principal, who deemed that the T-shirt slogan, “Feel for Lumps, Save Your Bumps”, was inappropriate in a school setting. The principle made it clear that he was not against breast cancer awareness and had encouraged a wear pink campaign, but did not approve of the T-shirt phrasing.

I can’t help wondering what expression the principle would have found appropriate. The slogan stayed away from more suggestive language such as “knockers” or “boobs”. If the relatively innocuous ‘bumps’ was too edgy, what would have cut it? Something tells me the anatomically correct ‘breasts’ would have also been deemed inappropriate for a school setting. I also worry that if we treat ‘check for lumps’ as stepping over some decency line, we make the very topic (and therefore the act) of self-exams inappropriate or taboo. This is certainly not the message we want to send to young women.

It is clear that dialogue surrounding breast cancer is still somewhat suppressed. This is a complex and common disease, and we need to be able to reference a full and uncensored lexicon to fight it head on.

2011 DC Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

So, how complex is it? Usually, more complex than news articles report. This was clear in one of the most reported stories of Breast Cancer Awareness Month: E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic, 37, announced that she discovered she has early stage breast cancer when she received a precautionary mammogram before a fertility treatment. Rancic said that she went public because she wanted other woman to know they could be at risk (sending her major kudos and well wishes).

Some reporters decided to look into the official mammogram guidelines, and I was disappointed with their take on preventative care. Deborah Kotz of the Boston Globe reviewed the guidelines and came to the conclusion that women under 40 don’t need to get mammograms unless they are at high risk or have a family history of breast cancer.  Kotz states, “Unfortunately, women may hear Rancic’s story and assume that they, too, should have a mammogram in their 30s.”

The problem with this line of thinking is that it assumes women know when they are high risk. Don’t think you have a family history of breast cancer? You could be wrong. If you are the child of only children or from a small family there is a possibility that breast cancer runs in your gene pool but has not manifested in the small sampling that is your family. Also, remember that for older generations breast cancer was a taboo topic and many women never discussed it even inside their families. This is where I am lucky to be the daughter of a breast cancer survivor; I know my family history, and my Doctor has informed me to start getting mammograms at 35.

Kotz does make the point that mammograms are not always effective on younger women who have dense breast tissue. This can lead to misdiagnosis, but can also mask tumors (shout out to CA State Senator Joe Simitian who recently tried to pass legislation requiring doctors to inform patients when they have dense breast tissue). So, what’s a girl to do with all this conflicting information? Talk to your Doctor, know your options, and most importantly “Feel for Lumps, Save Your Bumps”.

Note: This post was written before Susan G. Komen decided to defund Planned Parenthood. While I respect the work Komen has done in the past to increase awareness, I am cutting my ties with the organization. You can read about my decision here: http://mcdermottminute.blogspot.com/2012/02/our-body-parts-ourselves-komen-and-new.html