Also reposting Jenn’s video about everything that’s wrong with “Save the Boobs” style breast cancer campaigns, in light of some people’s disgustingly sexist reactions to Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy.
Sadhbh Walshe: Angelina Jolie was brave to share details of her double mastectomy, but it’s hardly an option for all women
Angelina Jolie should be commended for her brave and difficult decision, not only to opt for a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of breast cancer, but to also speak publicly about it in the hopes of encouraging others to do the same.
But for many from low income brackets or with reason to be wary of the medical establishment, accessing such life saving treatment is far from easy.
Read about Ms Jolie’s decision in her own words here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html
Further reading: http://www.xojane.com/issues/cant-afford-preventative-mastectomy-uninsured
Male privilege is the sexualization of Breast Cancer awareness.
THIS
it reminds me of what Randall Munroe said:
“The frustrating thing about the “Save the Boobies” campaign and similar things (like the “Booberday” meme going around G+) is that they get it exactly backward. Often, the point of breast cancer treatment is to destroy some or all of the boobies in order to save the woman.
Saying that we should work to cure this disease because it threatens breasts is really upsetting. For starters, it suggests that women are worth saving because they’re attached to breasts, rather than the other way around. But worse, it tells any woman who’s had a mastectomy to try to save her life that she’s lost the thing that made people care about her survival. What a punch in the stomach.”
Perfect analysis is perfect.
“Save the boobs!”
Jenn is very violently unimpressed with people who make light of breast cancer.
More videos about Breast Cancer Awareness and Pinkwashing: http://bit.ly/TDotdV
Cancer Research UK: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/home/
Macmillian Cancer Support: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/donate.aspx
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Happy Sunday everyone! Here’s this week’s topic announcement:
THIS WEEK: Breast Cancer Awareness and Pinkwashing
- Seen any recent examples of companies exploiting “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” to sell pink crap? Or alternatively a great campaign that actually does promote awareness or raise funds for research or patient support. Reblog to let us know!
NEXT WEEK: Sexism in Halloween Costumes
- Expect rage over the limited choice of “Sexy Everything” costumes for women, sexualisation of young girls, slut shaming, prude shaming and costume based racism.
THE WEEK AFTER: It’s our one year anniversary!
- On 7th November 2011 Holly-Rae put up our first ever video. It’s been an AMAZING first year so we’ll probably be looking back over that and maybe re-introducing ourselves to everyone who’s joined us more recently.
As ever if you’d like to make a guest video on these or any other topic then please click here for more info how and let us know!
- Becca x
[See under the cut for image descriptions]
Breast cancer survivor can now swim topless in Seattle’s public pools
Yeah, she needs to wear a “gender appropriate” bathing suit even when she doesn’t have breasts OR nipples. Not to mention that men have nipples and can have them hang out, but who gives a fuck about that. The world makes me sad.
ugggggggghhhhhhhhhh
if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that pink-washing and the commercialisation of breast cancer campaigning are major pet peeves of mine (and the Pink Ribbon Inc post getting 1200+ notes implies you all care too)
so here’s another one for the annals: set up by two men, Boobstagram apparently aims to
get conventionally attractive women to post their boobs onlineraise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of medical checks amongst young women.I call bullshit.
Faces of Change: Free Screenings Saving Lives
Under the Affordable Care Act many preventive services are offered free of charge. Because of this, Judy underwent a mammogram with no cost to her—helping her save money. This free mammogram caught the breast cancer early.
Because of this early detection, her prognosis is better than if she had skip a year or two of mammograms—and the cost of treatment is drastically reduced. As Judy says:
“My life has been saved by the Affordable Care Act.”Learn how the Affordable Care Act benefits you: https://my.barackobama.com/freescreeningvid
Tutu has her head shaved before chemo treatment for her breast cancer.
Tutu, who relished life as a daring adventurer, experienced the most extreme adventure of all when she died on 28 March 2012, at home in London with her father and close friends by her side.
Shortly before she died, she told Ashley Savage: “It’s not a perfect world, but you just have to get up, sing your song, keep your helmet on and things will get better. Things will always change, remember that. Things will be good, things will be bad. I am aware that my time here may be limited but I would like the work to live on as a legacy.”
You can see her work here at Cancer Sucks
(via Cancer’s not pink)
