Breast Cancer A Dangerous Type Of Cancer - 1502 Words

Most people know breast cancer is a dangerous type of cancer that affects both men and women. Author Gayle Sulik of Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women s Health describes breast cancer as, â€Å"abnormal cells [that] appear in the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or the lobules (glands that make milk) and, more importantly, have the capacity to spread (metastasize)† (164). Breast cancer can be treated with surgeries and chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapies. However, a person can still die even with treatment if the cancer metastasizes to major organs, like the brain and liver. For breast tumors and cancer to be diagnosed early, it is important to complete self-breast examinations and take the†¦show more content†¦In addition, the media does the same thing by creating false awareness through â€Å"pinkwashing†. According to Assistant Professor Tasha Dubriwny, the media purportedly does â€Å"pinkwashing† to, â€Å"veils [veil] the harsh reality of being diagnosed with cancer.† â€Å"Pinkwashing† is the emphasis on pink, femininity, body image, and hope; instead of life and death. With breast cancer, pink symbolizes strength, survivorship, beauty, and femininity. In order to maintain femininity, one must buy pink ribbon endorsed products such as grocery products, items of clothing, wigs, and other breast cancer awareness paraphernalia. In addition to supporting femininity, buying pink ribbon products from certain companies will supposedly help them contribute to research for the cure. â€Å"Pinkwashing† overlooks men who are suffering from breast cancer since the primary focus of â€Å"pinkwashing† is women and the â€Å"female† color pink. With â€Å"pinkwashing†, the media portrays a message of hope that breast cancer can be eradicated and those diagnosed with breast cancer survive. The media portrays the woman with breast cancer as a strong p erson who follows doctor’s orders, completes prescribed treatments, and holds a smile throughout the entire ordeal. In Sulik’s Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture