Pink

[Anon]

Is it just me....

I feel like there is just a little TOO much "breast cancer awareness" marketing out there....everywhere I look, there is pink candy, pink vacuums, pink mints, pink coffee makers, pink chocolate, pink mixers, pink, pink, pink! Do these people really care about cancer or do they care about getting more sales?

Plus, I mean, people do suffer and die from other things. I feel the breast cancer thing is somewhat of a feminist thing...you know...its most important because it affects the most important people, kind of thing.

Now, don't get me wrong...I like the pink, and I like supporting the breast cancer (after all, it could be ME someday). But I went to Target the other day and it was like EVERYTHING was pink! If we are going to support causes, I think they should broaden this just a little bit. Or chill out a little bit. Or something. LOL.

[HappyChristian]

I don't really like the color, so...

But, really, if you notice, there are set times when the pink is more obvious. Certain yogurts always have covers that are pink that can be sent in to get money sent to the cancer groups. I think it's a good thing - of course, the groups who are selling things are making money, but at least they will send a portion of it to the research groups.

Plus, really, breast cancer doesn't just strike women. It does hit men sometimes, too. Not as common, and definitely not as talked about, but it's there.

[deafnva77]

my mother died from breast cancer..I seen her neglected her breast to get checked out.. it started out small and it kept spreading and spreading.. to the point that my mom knew she needed to see a doctor.

more and more women are getting breast cancer... and younger too..

[deafnva77]

also my mother's medicaid specifically for people with breast cancer were funded by some of those pink things you buy (well the organization help fund medicaid.. so I've read edited: found a link that similar to what I read, but not exactly: http://www.vahealth.org/breastcancer/)

they help with research as well.

[Anon]

Just making sure you know I think its a good thing.

I guess it just seems like "pink overkill" especially when...I mean...I had a friend whose child died of leukemia. But I don't see any childhood cancer support groups selling things at Target. Ya know? I guess I don't understand why that's the main selling point...unless its just that women are mostly the ones buying things, and women all know "it could happen to me" so its a way to make money.

[deafnva77]

I know what you mean. There are so many kind of cancers that end up with the same results. Death.

[Danny Carlton]

More men each year are diagnosed with prostate cancer, than women are diagnosed with breast cancer. More men die each year from prostate cancer than women die from breast cancer. Some major breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment came from what little research has been done on prostate cancer treatment. Yet still breast cancer awareness seems like a national obsession while prostate cancer is rarely mentioned.

[Anon]

Wow I didn't realize it was that widespread.

Well like I said, I guess its targeted at women...and I think its more of a sales tactic than anything else.

I mean you might not need a new vacuum, but you see the pretty pink Dyson and think "I'll be helping BC if I buy this" and lo and behold, you are conned into a purchase you wouldn't have made.

I think its too much marketing.

[IM4given]

Well, October IS Breast Cancer Awareness month - so just by posting this thread you have proven their marketing efforts have worked - we are all thinking and discussing breast cancer. The money that is raised goes into a fund to help low-income and uninsured women get free mammorgrams and breast cancer screenings and treatment.

[Anon]

Right. I know its working.

I just wanna know why there isn't more awareness for other things...other people get cancer too...not just women, and not just in their breasts.

Technically, in my limited experience, I have been close with a child with leukemia...my grandparents had skin cancer...my husband's grandfather had prostate cancer....I have a cousin with epilepsy, and various autoimmune diseases throughout...but (thankfully I guess!) no breast cancer. I guess it just seems a tad off balanced.

I guess my point is that I feel these corporations are doing this mainly to make money for themselves..they are using breast cancer as a way to increase their own sales.

If you make 10,000 in sales one month....but then you dye everything pink and donate 10% to breast cancer....and you make 15,000 the next month....then minus the 10% you still made a 13,500 profit which is higher than the first month.

I feel they are marketing these women with breast cancer.

[deafnva77]

I think deep inside, women like pink, and this breast cancer awareness give them excuse to buy pink without seeming so childish.. LOL Every time I see pink, my mind is thinking : "ohhhh pretty! I want it!"

we need pastel blue for prostate

jk although I do think part of it is the truth