Let’s focus on breast cancer prevention, not awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I agree with the Breast Cancer Fund that it’s time to move beyond breast cancer “awareness” to prevention.

The BCF has breast cancer prevention campaign that urges women to:

• Chose safe cosmetics.

• Eat and live better by eating fresh organic food, hormone-free meat and dairy, and non-toxic seafood.

• Protect your family from toxic chemicals in plastics, cookware, toys, baby bottles, and child cups.

• Create a healthy home by choosing or making less toxic cleaning products.

• Make informed health care choices about treatments such as radiation exposures and prescription drugs.

• Protect themselves and the environment by evaluating sunscreens, avoiding dry cleaning, stopping the use of antibacterial products, and quitting smoking.

See the BDF’s “Chemicals and Radiation Linked to Breast Cancer” for more information.

Criticism of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with its pink ribbons and questions about where the donation money goes, is increasing. See these articles for more information:

• “The Problem With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month” – Women’s Health

• “Don’t Pink Me” – Think Before You Pink

• “Five Things to Know Before Buying a Pink-Ribbon Product” – Mashable

• “Does the NFL’s Pink October Campaign Actually Help Breast Cancer Research” – The Huffington

Copyright 2015, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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