Cancer

It’s that time of year again. It’s “National Breast Cancer Awareness” month. Let’s see what other months or times of the year we should “be aware of” or “remember” cancer

January 2009
 National Cervical Cancer Awareness Screening Month
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February 2009
 Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend (January 30-February 1)
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March 2009
 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
 National Cancer Nutrition Awareness Month
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April 2009
 National Cancer Control Month
 National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 19-25)
 National Cancer Volunteer Week (April 19-25)
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May 2009
 Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
 Cancer Research Month
 Melanoma Monday (May 4)
 Women's Health/Cancer Awareness (Mother’s Day: May 10)
 National Women's Health Week (May 10-16)
 World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
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June 2009
 National Cancer Survivors Day (June 7)
 Men's Health/Cancer Awareness (Father's Day-June 21)
 National Men's Health Week (June 8-14)
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July 2009
 UV Safety for Cancer Prevention Awareness Month
 Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month
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September 2009
 National Ovarian Cancer Month
 Childhood Cancer Month
 Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
 National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
 Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (Sept. 10-16)
 Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
 Take a Loved One for a Cancer Check-up Day (Sept. 22)
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October 2009
 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
 National Mammography Day (Oct. 16)
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November 2009
 Great American Smokeout for Lung Cancer Awareness (Nov. 19)
 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic® Weekend (Nov. 19-20)
 Lung Cancer Awareness Month
 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
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My big question is, who ISN”T aware of cancer? I’d like to MEET someone who says “Cancer, what’s THAT?!??!” I mean, who HAS NOT heard to get themselves checked early; checked often for cancer. Basically, August and December are the only months that aren’t cancer specific or have anything dedicated to cancer awareness. What if someone’s ONLY paying attention in August and December? Seriously, through proactive measures and the check early, check often mantra, many lives have at least been extended; if not saved. You can’t argue with that. But to me, it’s getting a little out of hand. Despite the above, it seems that every 2 weeks there’s SOME sort of run, walk, bicycling, crayfish eating event, etc for cancer. Specifically the Susan Komen Cancer Foundation fund or the ilk. Much money has been and will be raised.

Did you guys know that between 2003 and 2006, becoming a Susan G Komen Foundation non profit was one of the top 5 money making small business /independent start ups according to the US Small Business Administration - www.sba.gov/
That’s when I was doing research for story ideas for a bi-weekly PSA show or a news story.

Now there are stories and TONS of negative press about “the business of cancer” and even plausible ‘conspiracy theories” about big pharmaceutical companies not allowing survivable cancer medicine to be announced or produced. Much akin to the theories about how the automobile industry suppressing engines that runs on water or compressed air no doubt.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m kinda getting sick of the new marketing ways for cancer and cancer awareness. It seems like those involved are worrying about interest drying up, so they’re creating NEW and IMPROVED ways to remind us on a daily or weekly basis about awareness.

Look at HIV/AIDS – Remember the hype and glory that began in the early to mid 80’s? Remember the never ending debate, school programs, TV shows, movies, and all of the safe sex/abstinent ads and awareness walks, campaigns? Those pretty much have died down in the past 15 to 20 years. Even though between 2004 and 2007, AIDS rates have continued to rise dramatically. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm. However, with the advent of the various medical ‘cocktails’, people with HIV/AIDS are living longer.

Take the various forms of cancer. Most cancer rates have decreased. Take this National Cancer Institute study last year - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/health/research/26cancer.html

Yet the Susan G Komen walks, runs, concerts, pie eating contests, et all have increased significantly.

For giggles, check out THIS website about what the different colored ribbons means –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awareness_ribbons.

This site will tell you about ALL of the colors and what THEY represent - http://www.craftsnscraps.com/jewelry/ribbons.html

I lost someone who was like a mother to me years ago to brain cancer. Last year, my mother-in-law fought with cancer while dying of a COPD related illness. I’ve known too many people who have succumbed to SOME sort of cancer- both male and female oriented, and then the non discriminate forms- like brain and lung cancer. Though technically, breast and colorectal aren’t mutually exclusive to one sex or the other, but you wouldn’t believe it by the clever marketing that goes on. Chances are very likely that I myself will be diagnosed with some sort of cancer in the near future. One day either my morbid obesity and unhealthy lifestyle will get me; or just simply being born in 1966 and exposed to unhealthy things such as 2nd hand cigarette smoke, lead paint, disco, lawn darts, whatever. I cannot begin to imagine what cancer sufferers or survivors go through. I am aware of what their love ones face. That’s why that the daily/weekly reminders bother me. It seems that after the grieving and coping with loss time is over, people don’t know HOW to cope and choose to live their lives as a constant reminder. Maybe I’m wrong. What say you?