Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pinkwashing

10.23.2019 | HMMH |

Pinkwashing: Noun. The practice of a company using support of breast cancer-related charities to promote itself and its products or services.

According to the American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2018-2019 in the United States:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women after skin cancer.
There are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, including women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.
In the U.S. in 2019, there will be an estimated 271,270 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women and 2,670 cases diagnosed in men.
From 2005 to 2014, the most recent 10 years for which data are available, invasive breast cancer incidence rates were stable in white women and increased slightly (by 0.3% per year) in black women.
An estimated 42,260 breast cancer deaths will occur.
500 men will die from breast cancer.
The 5- and 10-year relative survival rates for women with invasive breast cancer are 90% and 83%, respectively.
The overall 5-year relative survival rate is 99% for localized disease, 85% for regional disease, and 27% for distant-stage disease.
Since 1975, the breast cancer 5-year relative survival rate has increased significantly for both black and white women. While a substantial gap remains, especially for late-stage diagnoses, the racial disparity seems to be narrowing. In the most recent period, the 5-year relative survival rate was 83% for black women and 92% for white women.

At this risk of jumping on the “Breast Cancer Awareness” wagon, I offer the following. Two years ago, I was in the midst of radiation treatment for breast cancer. I am one of the lucky ones. At my annual physical, my primary care physician noted that I had missed a mammogram. She scheduled an appointment for the following week, which turned up Stage II cancer and the rest is history. I am fine now, thanks to the excellent care of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I’m even participating in two clinical trials, doing my best to contribute to furthering a cure.

So as a public service announcement to my colleagues, friends, and clients (and the women they love): please get your mammogram.

Statistics & graphic provided by the American Cancer Society