Letters to the Editor
mbetz08
Published Letters: 1
-
Alienating Breast Cancer Survivors
[Read the article: Boobs to cure cancer?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]What I find most distrubing about the campaign is how it seems to alienate the very people it is trying to advocate for. By displaying (predominantly) healthy breasts, women who have had mastectomies are further aware of their cancer and treatment. Though raw and touching images, another commenter stated that the pictures of the treated patients could serve as a "warning." I think this is a dangerous message to portray-- as a 'sick among the healthy' by highlighting the difference among healthy and 'non-healthy' breasts, the campaign-- at least to me-- seems to superimpose a fear of cancer for vanity reasons. Further, these women should never have to serve as a 'warning.' Breast cancer wasn't a choice.
I also think the message is convoluted. If this was for another type of cancer-- say skin cancer-- people who get naked are not necessarily in solidarity or support of those with skin cancer. Though I try to support breast cancer as many ways as I can, some of the ways they try to reach the public can be twisted-- like primarily pink products. Pink because grown women are sick? Am I meant to feel solidarity and be drawn towards pink objects? I put aside this sense of feeling demeaned to support the cause, but I never see prostate campaigns portrayed in such manners (light blue products, etc.)