There's too much cupcake, not enough perspective when it comes to breast cancer
Pink lighting illuminates Niagara Falls as part of a publicity stunt to raise awareness of breast cancer. Picture: AP Source: AP
THE entire world can be swathed in pink yet women still misunderstand breast cancer, says Tory Shepherd.
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"IT'S that time of the year again when supermarket shelves are pinkwashed. A flush spreads across water bottles and tissue boxes, and ruddy ribbons are everywhere.
It's fair to say that we are more aware of breast cancer than any other cancer.
So how is it possible that the entire world can be swathed in pink yet women still have such a fundamental misunderstanding of this disease? Most women with breast cancer think stress caused it. They're wrong.
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A study published last year found just 2 per cent of survivors thought lifestyle factors such as obesity and alcohol consumption were to blame. And 58.1 per cent thought stress was the culprit.
It's not. Age and gender are the biggest risk factors for breast cancer, and there's not a lot you can do about them.
But there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances. Booze is a carcinogen, and contributes to up to 20 per cent of breast cancer cases. Obesity is also a risk factor.
Maybe little warnings should go on the bottles of bubbly and the towering stacks of pink cupcakes that will be consumed at breast cancer events throughout October."
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